Leeds United to host RB Leipzig in pre-season friendly at Elland Road on August 8
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United will face RB Leipzig in a pre-season friendly at Elland Road in Leeds, England on August 8, the clubs confirmed ahead of the match.
Leeds arrive having won their last two friendlies, beating Sunderland and then coming from behind to beat Liverpool 4-2, and will aim for a third successive victory. The Whites have kept only one clean sheet in their last three friendly games, prompting concerns about their defensive composure at the back. RB Leipzig underwent a managerial change in June and begin this tie under new head coach Martin Demichelis; the German side have won three of their four pre-season fixtures. Leipzig will need to be effective in the final third and manage game tempo as they adapt to Demichelis’s approach.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has returned to form for Leeds, with the 29-year-old English forward producing a standout showing in the last pre-season match. Calvert-Lewin scored a brace in that game and helped lead Leeds to the victory over Liverpool. His fitness and finishing will be central to Leeds’ attacking threat in the Elland Road fixture.
Johan Bakayoko is set to be a key figure for RB Leipzig on the right flank; the 23-year-old Belgian winger offers pace and a direct threat to opponent defences. Bakayoko scored the match-winning goal in a recent friendly for Leipzig and arrives having previously played for PSV. Leipzig are expected to look to his speed and wide play for chances in the final third.
Squad availability issues have been noted on both sides: Ilia Gruev might miss out for Leeds due to fitness concerns, while Viggo Gebel will not feature for RB Leipzig as he works towards full fitness. Separately, Yan Diomande has completed his transfer to Real Madrid, a move confirmed in the build-up to this friendly.
Leeds are likely to field the following XI: Cairns (GK); Justin, Rodon, Muharemovic; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Gudmundsson; Wilson, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson. RB Leipzig are expected to line up as: Vandevoordt (GK); Henrichs, Esteve, Lukeba, Klostermann; Vermeeren, Maksimovic, Ouedraogo; Bakayoko, Romulo, Konate. Leipzig will look to use possession and quality passing to present a stern test for the home side.
Leeds are fancied to have the edge and might come out on top in this pre-season contest. The match takes place at Elland Road on August 8 and will be available to watch live globally on Red Bull TV.