RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

The DFB-Pokal final takes place this week
The DFB-Pokal final takes place this week / LEON KUEGELER/Getty Images
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The DFB-Pokal final takes place from the nation's capital this midweek as RB Leipzig take on Borussia Dortmund at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

Julian Nagelsmann's side sit in second place in the Bundesliga and were beaten by their opponents last weekend in a thrilling 3-2 encounter at Signal Iduna Park. That win helped Dortmund move up to fourth place in their hunt for Champions League football next season, with just two games remaining.

As Leipzig look to win the cup for the first time after losing their first final to Bayern in 2019, Dortmund look to make it six cup wins having made it to six finals in the last ten years. Here is the 90min preview of the game.


What TV channel is RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund on?

What time is kick off? Thursday May 13th - 19:45 BST
Where is the game being played? Olympiastadion, Berlin
How to watch on TV in UK & US: OneFootball/YouTube (UK), ESPN2 (US)


RB Leipzig route to the final

Leipzig made it through to the final with some excellent performances, conceding just one goal in five games. They beat Bundesliga II outfit Nürnberg 3-0 in the first round, before another 3-0 win over fellow Bundesliga side FC Augsburg. They then dismantled Bochum 4-0 in the third round before a quarter-final triumph over Wolfsburg.

Their semi-final clash with Werder Bremen was much more intense, finishing 0-0 after 90 minutes before an entertaining extra-time period ended 2-1 in their favour with a 121st minute goal from Emil Forsberg.

FBL-GER-CUP-WERDER BREMEN-LEIPZIG
Forsberg scored a very late winner in the semi-final / CATHRIN MUELLER/Getty Images

Borussia Dortmund route to the final

Edin Terzic's side have enjoyed a similarly impressive run to the final, defeating Bundesliga III side MSV Duisburg 5-0 in the first round before a 2-0 win over Braunschweig in the second round. Their third round game against Paderborn was brilliant as they blew a 2-0 lead in the 97th minute, before Erling Haaland saved the day in extra-time.

They then pipped Gladbach 1-0 in the quarter-finals before a thumping 5-0 win over minnows Holsten Kiel in the semis to set up this final clash.

Erling Haaland, Leopold Zingerle
Haaland scored the extra-time winner against Paderborn in the round of 16 / Frederic Scheidemann/Getty Images

RB Leipzig team news

Leipzig will be delighted to welcome back several players from injury including Marcel Sabitzer, Justin Kluivert and Yussuf Poulsen, but Dominik Szoboszlai is still waiting to make his debut after suffering with an adductor injury.

Tyler Adams and Christopher Nkunku should return to the team after missing the dress rehearsal at the weekend, while Hwang Hee-chan will be hopeful of keeping his place in the attack after an assist in the 3-2 defeat.


Borussia Dortmund team news

Dortmund are still without several players including Axel Witsel, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Marcel Schmelzer, Mateu Morey and goalkeeper Marwin Hitz for this final.

Marwin Hitz
Marwin Hitz will miss the game with a knee injury / Pool/Getty Images

Veteran goalkeeper Roman Burki will start in goal, while Jadon Sancho and Haaland should be reunited in attack. Manuel Akanji and Giovanni Reyna have been doubts but are expected to be available and should both start.


RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund predicted lineups

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi; Halstenberg, Upamecano, Konate; Mukiele, Adams, Sabitzer, Angelino; Forsberg, Poulsen, Olmo.

Borussia Dortmund: Burki; Piszczek, Hummels, Akanji, Guerreiro; Can, Bellingham; Reyna, Reus, Sancho; Haaland.

RB Leipzig vs Borussia Dortmund prediction

Edin Terzic, Julian Nagelsmann
Two coaches on their way out will go head-to-head once more / Pool/Getty Images

Leipzig will come to attack once again, but with just two wins in their last five they're struggling for momentum right now. Dortmund on the other hand have won their last five in a row in all competitions and will be welcoming back their superstar striker Haaland in time for the game, meaning they certainly have the advantage.

It's sure to be an entertaining clash between two attack-minded sides, but the added quality in the Dortmund attack leans the game in their favour and after beating Leipzig at the weekend in the Bundesliga they will have a psychological edge to go with it.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 1-2 Borussia Dortmund


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