Leipzig vs Borussia M'gladbach 29 August 2026 Prediction

RB Leipzig opened last season with a 6-0 loss to Bayern Munich. Its first opponent of the new campaign is Borussia Monchengladbach, a team with limited expectations. However, the visitors have already adjusted to several key departures, while Leipzig is still adapting to a new manager and tactical system.

RB Leipzig Faces Uncertainty under a New Manager

RB Leipzig finished third in the 2025/26 season and returned to the Champions League. Ole Werner oversaw that result but was unexpectedly dismissed. The club appointed 45-year-old Martin Demichelis as manager. The Argentine previously worked within Bayern Munich’s system and favors aggressive, high-pressing soccer. Jürgen Klopp was involved in his appointment. Leipzig also lost several important players. Yan Diomande recorded 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, veteran goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi played 23 matches, and central midfielder Xaver Schlager contributed three goals and one assist in 30 appearances. The club therefore enters the season without several key figures from Werner’s system.

Demichelis has had to rebuild the team’s structure, and the early results have been mixed. RB Leipzig beat lower-division opponents in its summer friendlies but struggled against stronger teams. Leipzig lost 2-0 to Leeds and 3-1 to Bayern Munich. Against Bayern, as in the 6-0 cup win over Eintracht Trier, Demichelis relied on established players. New signings Maxime Estève from Burnley, Rocco Reitz from Borussia Monchengladbach, and Christopher Nkunku from AC Milan did not start. The manager’s tactical approach remains a work in progress.

Leipzig will also be without an important attacking player. Diomande and Christoph Baumgartner, who recorded 17 goals and nine assists in 37 matches last season, led the offense. Diomande has left the club, while Baumgartner is injured and will miss the opening round.

Borussia Has Adjusted to Key Departures

Borussia Monchengladbach finished 12th in the Bundesliga last season. The club’s summer transfer business suggested there would be no major push to climb the standings. Defender Nico Elvedi, who made 36 appearances in 2025/26, and midfielder Rocco Reitz, who had four assists in 34 matches, both departed. Gladbach replaced them with reserve-team players, 2. Bundesliga signings, and young players from other European leagues. Despite those changes, Borussia won six consecutive friendlies before beating Schott Mainz 5-0 in the DFB-Pokal round of 64.

The preseason schedule included stronger opponents such as Premier League club Aston Villa, which Gladbach defeated 2-1. Two members of the back four in that match were new signings: young Polish defender Jan Leszczynski and Daiki Hashioka from Belgian club Gent. Hashioka also scored in the DFB-Pokal. Manager Eugen Polanski uses a simple, pragmatic system focused on limiting mistakes. Against stronger opponents, Borussia defends deep and looks to counterattack.

Philipp Sander, who made 30 appearances last season, and Kevin Stöger, who played 29 matches, are available in defensive midfield and should provide stability through the middle. Central midfielder Jens Castrop is unavailable, while Borussia’s other absences are less significant.

RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach Predicted Lineup

RB Leipzig (4-3-3): Vandevoordt; Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum; Bakayoko, Seiwald, Banzuzi; Gruda, Gomis, Nusa

Unavailable: Baumgartner, Ouedraogo (both injured)

Manager: Martin Demichelis

Borussia Monchengladbach (4-2-3-1): Nicolas; Hashioka, Diks, Leszczynski, Ullrich; Stöger, Sander; Mohya, Bolin, Hack; Lidberg

Unavailable: Castrop, Konoplya, Uno, Chiarodia (all injured)

Manager: Eugen Polanski

Referee: Sven Jablonski

The German referee handled 34 competitive matches in the 2025/26 season and generally took a lenient approach. Jablonski averaged 22.1 fouls and 3.32 yellow cards per match. He awarded a penalty in one out of every five games and issued five red cards over that span.

RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach Prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach to Win or Draw

Main prediction: Leipzig struggled during the summer and lost both friendlies against high-level opposition despite using an established lineup. Demichelis is overhauling the system, and the team has yet to adjust. Leipzig is also missing two of last season’s main attacking contributors. Diomande has left, while Baumgartner is injured. Gladbach, meanwhile, has integrated its new players effectively. Polanski’s team is comfortable defending deep and playing without the ball, as it showed in the win over Aston Villa. Tim Kleindienst, who scored twice against Villa, also gives Borussia an experienced option from the bench. The main selection is Borussia Monchengladbach to win or draw at 2.30.

Goals prediction: Borussia scored in every friendly and DFB-Pokal match, averaging 4.57 goals per game. RB Leipzig averaged 2.42 goals across its summer schedule. Leipzig conceded against its strongest opponents, while Gladbach allowed goals against lower-division teams. The additional selection is Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.61.