RB Leipzig star men: Three players to watch out for ahead of Koln v RB Leipzig in Monday's Bundesliga game

Mention RB Leipzig and Timo Werner will be the name that instantly comes to mind, but there is so much more to this fine Bundesliga outfit than just their red-hot forward.

Werner has eclipsed the 30-goal barrier this season, so is rightly their spearhead, their flag bearer and the man who takes up most of the headlines – but the team is built on a solid foundation and has plenty of other star power.

It all stems from the top, with hot-shot young coach Julian Nagelsmann – the next big thing in German coaching who was nicknamed the ‘Baby Mourinho’ early on his career, which started at the startling age of just 28.

That’s embryonic in management terms, but Nagelsmann took the helm at Hoffenheim in February 2016 and performed his first piece of brilliance by keeping the club, languishing in 17th at the time, in the Bundesliga.

After performing well with Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann was recruited by ambitious RB Leipzig for this season after previously being linked with a host of top jobs, and he’s responded with a strong league performance. Plus they’re still in the Champions League.

And, along with Werner, Leipzig have some top talents spurring them on.

Dayot Upamecano

The French defender’s name has been spoken about for some time, even if it is among the more tricky to pronounce. He’s put in some towering displays at the back and there’s no surprise to see the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd and Bayern all sniffing around.

Like Werner, he’s said to have a £52m release clause (that number must mean something to Leipzig) but unlike the striker his contract expires next year, so he will present a big transfer headache for them this summer.

Still only 21, Upamecano has a huge upside to him with the raw ability and physical attributes he possesses – with a combination of power and pace that make him hard to beat, while on the ball there’s a poise and comfort level that top teams desire from their defenders these days.

Stat: RB Leipzig have conceded 25 goals from the 23 games Upamecano has played in this season. They’ve got the second best defensive record in the Bundesliga.

Bet: Dayot Upamecano 2+ Tackles at 8/11

Christopher Nkunku

Another young Frencham with a bright future is 22-year-old Nkunku, the lively playmaker who is Leipzig’s answer to Jadon Sancho.

Predominantly a winger, the former PSG starlet has also operated centrally as a No.10 and even up front at times in Nagelsmann’s fluid attacking style.

He may not score too many, but when he does they’re usually highlight reel material, but Nkunku’s real asset is his ability to carve out goals for others.

Coupling his ability to the run with the ball with the nous to find a defence-splitting pass makes him a crack architect for creating goals.

His 13 assists this season mean that only the aforementioned Sancho and Thomas Muller have more this season - esteemed company to be keeping.

He doesn’t play that many full games, but his attacking production is pretty good, averaging 1.2 shots on target and 3.9 key passes for every 90 minutes on the pitch.

Stat: In Leipzig’s 5-0 win over Schalke in February Nkunku made four assists to four different players.

Bet: Christopher Nkunku to assist a goal v Koln at 7/4

Marcel Sabitzer

The Austrian midfielder is the all-round lynchpin in the RB Leipzig engine room, offering energy, tackles, passing and, this season, goals.

He may not have been as well known as Werner but his two-goal salvo against Tottenham in the Champions League showed just what the 26-year-old is all about.

Like a few others, the 2017 Austrian Player of the Year came via Red Bull Salzburg but has made the step up comfortably.

His delivery from set pieces and long-range shooting are also key attributes, with six goals coming from outside the box this season – with his five in the Bundesliga two more than anyone else. Only Lionel Messi has more in Europe's top five leagues.

With 16 goals and eight assists in 38 games in all competitions he’s well rounded and has a great goal involvement.

He doesn’t get the headlines, but he’s every bit as important to Leipzig as Werner.

Stat: In Leipzig’s league opener against Union Berlin, Sabitzer had a hand in all four goals, scoring one and assisting three in a 4-0 win.

Bet: Marcel Sabitzer to score from outside the box at 10/1

Combined stats bet: Sabitzer 2+ shots on target & Upamenco 2+ tackles at 4/1

Sporting Life betting verdict on Koln v RB Leipzig

Tom Carnduff

1pt RB Leipzig to win and over 3.5 goals in the match at 9/4

Leipzig have won by a two-goal or greater margin on 13 different occasions in the Bundesliga this season. When they are winning, they are doing so in comfortable fashion.

The price on an away win sitting at 4/7 provides little appeal, particularly with a lack of action elsewhere on Monday to include in any accumulators. Instead, based on track record, it's worth taking a Leipzig win with four or more goals in the contest. That has happened in 12 league fixtures already.

The pressure will be on Leipzig to get a result here given the winnable fixtures for Dortmund, Leverkusen and Monchengladbach in the days before they return to action. We should expect an entertaining encounter to watch and one in which the visitors will secure a comfortable victory.

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