RB Leipzig will return to the Red Bull Arena to face Hamburger SV in the third round of the Bundesliga 2026/27 season on September 13, 2026, at 20:30. After a disappointing defeat against Werder Bremen, Leipzig is eager to secure a victory to regain their confidence. In stark contrast, Hamburger is deep in crisis, having lost their first two matches without scoring a single goal.

Leipzig had a promising start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach at home. However, their recent 1-3 loss to Werder Bremen highlighted some vulnerabilities in their game. Despite this setback, Leipzig's attacking prowess remains noteworthy, leading the Bundesliga in total shots with 42 and boasting an impressive expected goals (xG) statistic of 6.2. Christopher Nkunku, a key player for Leipzig, has returned to form but is yet to find the net after six attempts this season. The match against Hamburger could present him with a perfect opportunity to break his scoring drought.

On the other hand, Hamburger is experiencing a nightmarish start to the season under coach Merlin Polzin, losing 0-2 to Dortmund and 0-5 to Mainz. They currently sit at the bottom of the league table with no points, having conceded seven goals and failing to score in their first two matches. This is the worst start to a season for Hamburger since their return to the top tier of German football. The heavy defeat against Mainz particularly exposed serious issues in their defensive setup, with opponents easily exploiting gaps and the team lacking cohesion during counter-attacks.

Historically, Leipzig has dominated their encounters with Hamburger, remaining unbeaten in their last six meetings and winning five of those matches. In their most recent clash on March 1, 2026, Leipzig came from behind to win 2-1 at Hamburger's home ground. Leipzig has also been formidable at home, going unbeaten in their last seven home matches, winning six and drawing one, averaging 2.57 goals per game while conceding only 0.71.

While Hamburger will aim to organize a tight defense and look for counter-attacking opportunities, Leipzig's pressing intensity and ability to create chances will likely put immense pressure on the visitors throughout the match. Recent statistics indicate that 13 out of Leipzig's last 15 games featured at least three goals, while Hamburger has also seen 10 out of their last 15 matches end with three or more goals. Given Leipzig's home advantage, superior squad quality, and historical dominance, they are favored to win this matchup.

In terms of predictions, Leipzig is expected to secure a 3-1 victory over Hamburger. The anticipated lineups for the match are as follows:

• RB Leipzig: Vandevoordt (GK), Raum, Esteve, Orban, Baku, Banzuzi, Seiwald, Aynaoui, Nusa, Nkunku, Bakayoko.
• Hamburger: Fernandes (GK), Capaldo, Bornauw, Torunarigha, Ouahdi, Nadir, Remberg, Moller Wolfe, Adeline, Gronbeak, Moffi.

With both teams in contrasting forms, Leipzig's attacking capabilities and home advantage could prove decisive in this encounter.