The 16th round of the Bundesliga kicks off on January 27, 2026, at 20:30 local time (CET), as St. Pauli host RB Leipzig at Millerntor-Stadion in a clash with very different objectives.
St. Pauli currently sit second from bottom in the Bundesliga standings with just 13 points, firmly inside the relegation zone and five points away from safety. With the season entering a critical phase, their survival prospects look increasingly bleak. RB Leipzig, on the other hand, are fifth in the table with 35 points, only one point shy of the top four. Against a relegation-threatened opponent, Leipzig have a clear mission: take all three points and keep Champions League qualification firmly in sight.
St. Pauli
St. Pauli have endured a difficult campaign, managing only three wins, four draws and eleven losses from 18 league matches. Their attacking output has been particularly alarming, scoring just 16 goals while conceding 31, making them the lowest-scoring team in the Bundesliga. They have failed to win any of their last five matches, during which they scored only three goals and conceded five.
Defensively, St. Pauli are not entirely without structure, but their persistent lack of cutting edge up front has severely undermined their relegation fight. Against stronger opponents, they often deploy a deep 5-4-1 formation, prioritizing compact defending and quick counterattacks. Set pieces have been a crucial source of goals this season, and much of their attacking hope rests on Eric Smith. The midfielder has recorded one goal and two assists in his last three appearances, and his form could be decisive if St. Pauli are to find the net.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig arrive with notable injury concerns. Klostermann, Henrichs, Wederauogo, Vigo Gebel and Johan Bakayoko are all sidelined, while Banzuzi and Antonio Nusa remain doubtful. These absences test the squad’s depth, especially considering that Bakayoko and Nusa have each scored three league goals this season.
Tactically, Leipzig favor an attack-minded 4-3-3 system, relying heavily on explosive wing play to deliver crosses and cut inside for shots. When possession is lost, they press aggressively in midfield to regain control quickly. One of the standout performers has been 19-year-old winger Diomande, who has enjoyed a breakout season with seven goals and five assists. He also provided two assists in the previous match and averages an impressive 3.12 successful dribbles per game.
Following the departure of last season’s main striker Sesko, Romulo has stepped up admirably. He has contributed six goals and three assists so far and has found the net twice in his last three matches, signaling strong recent form.
Head-to-Head and Match Outlook
Leipzig hold a clear advantage in recent meetings, winning both of their last two encounters with St. Pauli, each by a margin of two goals. Despite their injury list, Leipzig’s attacking firepower remains potent, as shown by their emphatic 3–0 victory in the previous round. Confidence within the squad is high.
St. Pauli, meanwhile, continue to struggle for wins, and their ongoing attacking drought makes it difficult to envision a breakthrough against a superior opponent. Even with home support, their chances of taking points appear slim.
Match Result Recommendation: RB Leipzig to win
Predicted Score: St. Pauli 0–2 RB Leipzig
