Highlights
D. Aytekin
Watch: Nkunku: "I'm happy and positive"
90'
+ 5
Big three points for RBL
Well, that is a big, big win for Leipzig. They make sure they're still in the title picture with a commanding victory, courtesy of goals from Forsberg, Laimer and Szoboszlai. Equally important was the return of Nkunku to first-team action, which provides a major boost for Rose. As for Wolfsburg, their European bid is faltering.
Full-time
90'
+ 3
All over
Now that is the final nail in the coffin as Szoboszlai collects the ball, drifts past his marker and then applies an excellent finish to make it 3-0 to the away side. They're moving to within four points of Bayern who, if you don't already know, are heading to defeat at Gladbach.
Goal probability 
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
88'
Final changes for RBL
Leipzig make their fourth and fifth subs of the game as Halstenberg and Kampl enter the fray. Rose's team on course for a very good win here.
88'
Substitution
88'
Substitution
85'
Game, set and match?
Leipzig have their second of the game, but it's not Nkunku on target - it's Laimer. Nkunku is involved, though, and has the assist as he plays Laimer in down the side to fire across goal from the left. That should be game over.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
81'
Over from Nkunku!
Nkunku is through on goal and he looks as though he will fire home his first of the New Year but, somehow, the Frenchman lashes over on his left foot. He really should have scored.
78'
First Nkunku burst
We get the first real sign of pre-injury Nkunku as he bursts into the Wolfsburg box and cuts back for Poulsen but it's just behind the big Leipzig striker and he can't bring the ball under his spell.
Good to see you, Christo!
© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche/IMAGO/Picture Point LE
75'
Double Leipzig change
Leipzig also make a couple of changes as Poulsen takes Werner's place and Laimer is on for the current match-winner, Forsberg. Just 15 minutes to go.
75'
Substitution
75'
Substitution
74'
Arnold denied
The Wolfsburg captain lets fly with a free-kick from out on the right, which is repelled easily by Glaswich. Ambros is on for Felix Nmecha moments later.
74'
Substitution
69'
Comeback
Nkunku is back! Silva makes way for the France international, who is on the pitch for the first time since November.
69'
Substitution
67'
No-one home
Wolfsburg move the ball nicely but Gerhardt can't lay it into the path of Marmoush and the move breaks down just inside the Leipzig box. Sums up Wolfsburg's day.
11:19
Watch: All of Nkunku's goals in 2022
64'
Toothless Wolves
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.16
1.52
0
Goals
59'
More Wolfsburg changes
Lukas Nmecha joins his brother on the field and Svanberg takes the place of Wimmer. Can either provide much needed inspiration for Kovac's home team?
59'
Substitution
59'
Substitution
57'
Back-to-back corners
Leipzig's biggest threat in this second half has come from corners. They have two in quick succession here and almost double their lead. Silva jabs the ball at goal but Van de ven is there, on the goaline, to chest the ball clear. A third corner comes to nothing.
Wolfsburg frustrated
© Martin Rose/Getty Images
52'
Leipzig's chances of victory are increasing with every minute
Leipzig's chances of victory are increasing with every minute
0'
32.7 %
Now
69 %
50'
First Blaswich save
A lovely piece of play from Baku leads to Nmecha getting his side's first shot on target. It's a good effort and Blaswich is forced into a good save down to his left. Much better from Wolfsburg.
49'
Van de ven at left-back
The half-time change has seen Van de ven move over to left-back in order to accommodate Lacroix. He may not have the same adventure as Otavio but should sure up that side of the pitch.
47'
Marmoush in the action already
The substitute brings the ball down in the Leipzig box and gets a shot away on the turn but is crowded out. He's already looked more lively than Waldschmidt and Wind did in the first half.
46'
Double change for Wolfsburg
Marmoush replaces Waldschmidt, who it must be said barely had a kick in that first-half, while Lacroix is on for Otavio. It could mean a change in shape at the back for the Wolves.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 3
Substitution
45'
+ 3
Substitution
So far, so good for Leipzig
© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Bahho Kara/IMAGO/Eibner
45'
+ 3
Forsberg the difference
A half that started so encouragingly for Wolfsburg has ended with the home side trailing and short on attacking inspiration. Forsberg's excellent goal changed the momentum of the game and Leipzig have been on top ever since. Kovac needs to get his side up and running after the break.
Half-time
44'
Blaswich untroubled
Goal attempts
2off target
0on target
4off target
2on target
42'
Szoboszlai hits the post
What an effort this is. Szoboszlai is way out and lets fly a trademark free-kick from range that Casteels can only pray doesn't rattle his net. Thankfully for the home 'keeper, Szoboszlai's wonderful effort kisses the outside of the post and goes wide. Would have been some goal.
40'
Close to a second
A lightening fast Leipzig counter sees Raum advance and have a shot at goal from the left side of the Wolfsburg box, which Casteels tips away from goal. Silva is almost there to slide the ball home but is at full stretch and can't get the contact he wants.
37'
Midfield battle
Duels won
8
7
Yannick Gerhardt Xaver Schlager
33'
No way through
The hosts are finding it difficult to break through the Leipzig lines and are struggling to get their front three into the game. Wind is looking particularly isolated and that's despite the best the best efforts of his captain. Arnold has constantly been looking to get on the ball but he just can't pick a way through.
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
27'
Raum down
The Leipzig left-back is struggling after a bit of a coming together and has to get treatment on the side of the pitch. It initially didn't look great to Raum but he's back on now. One to keep an eye on.
Forsberg's third of the season...
© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche/IMAGO/Picture Point LE
21'
Clash of heads
Klostermann and Wind both go for a header and clash heads but they're both back up and running almost immediately. That will be a physical battle between those two today.
18'
Leipzig on top
The game has completely turned on its head since Forsberg's opener. It's now Leipzig camped in the Wolfsburg half, with Raum offering great width on the left but his delivery lets him down and the Germany international can't find Silva or Werner in the middle.
16'
One goal, no goal threat
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.07
0.02
0
Goals
14'
Forsberg against the run of play
Well, we did say it was beginning to warm up and Leipzig, despite their slow start, are in front. It's a lovely strike as the ball ricochets to Forsberg on the edge of the box before volleying in via the post. A great way to break the deficit.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
13'
High and wide from Baku
Wolfsburg's full-backs have been responsible for the two shots we've had so far. The latest sees Baku collect the ball on the right angle of the box and he takes the shot on but fires well over. Andre Silva is soon hovering at the other end but the danger is snuffed out before the Leipzig man can get a shot away. Things starting to warm up...
9'
Leipzig on the back foot
Kovac will be very pleased with how his team have started this game but his counterpart will want Leipzig to come to life. Rose has so far seen the away team doing the majority of their work in their own half.
6'
Wolfsburg's calm start
The game has made a slow start so far, with Wolfsburg happy to have the ball deep in their own half for the majority, inviting Leipzig onto them. The visitors are yet to really get a foot in the game.
3'
Eyes on the bench
It's worth noting that Nkunku isn't the sole person of interest on the Leipzig bench. Young American Caden Clark is also month the substitutes after making a matchday squad for the very first time. There will be great interest in whether the 19-year-old can make his RBL bow today.
1'
Underway in Wolfsburg
The visitors get us up and running....
Kick-off!
Ready to go
The teams are in the tunnel and we're just a few minutes away from kick-off. This should be a cracker.
0:06
Welcome to Wolfsburg!
Stat attack
Wolfsburg don't enjoy facing Leipzig and have won only one of the last 11 competitive meetings between these two sides (D4, L6). There is hope for the hosts, though, as Leipzig have won just three of 10 away games in this season's Bundesliga, but they are unbeaten on the road since Rose took charge (W3, D3) so are clearly improving. Also, keep an eye on late drama today; the Wolves, like Leipzig, have scored 11 times in the final 15 minutes of matches this season.
0:05
All eyes on RBL's No.18
Wolfsburg team news
As for the hosts, they make two changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Schalke last week; Felix Nmecha comes into midfield and Luca Waldschmidt starts in attack.
Leipzig team news
© DFL
Wolfsburg starting XI
Casteels - Baku, Bornauw, Van de Ven, Otavio - F. Nmecha, Arnold (c), Gerhardt - Wimmer, Wind, Waldschmidt
Wolfsburg subs
Pervan, Fischer, Lacroix, Guilavogui, Svanberg, Ambros, Franjic, L. Nmecha, Marmoush
RBL starting XI
Blaswich - Klostermann, Orban (c), Gvardiol, Raum - Haidara, Schlager - Szoboszlai, Forsberg, Werner - Silva
RBL subs
Nyland, Simakan, Halstenberg, Henrichs, Nkunku, Laimer, Clark, Kampl, Poulsen
Kovac looking forward to RBL test
The Wolfsburg boss is excited for his team to "test themselves against the best", telling media on the eve of today's game: "Leipzig are enjoying a lot of success under Marco Rose. They were very, very unfortunate to lose their last game despite putting in a good performance. Leipzig’s strengths undoubtedly lie in their transition game – we can’t let them play that way and need to stop it."
Nkunku due for comeback
There was some good news for Leipzig fans yesterday as Rose confirmed that top-scorer, and "difference maker", Nkunku is fit enough to feature in some capacity in Wolfsburg. "Christo had a good week of training, he will be an option tomorrow," said the Leipzig boss. "Of course not for 90 minutes, but definitely for an appearance."
1:15
Watch: Top 5 goals between Leipzig and Wolfsburg
2:03
Watch: Previous meeting: Leipzig 2-0 Wolfsburg
First time for everything
This will be the first competitive meeting between Marco Rose and Niko Kovac as coaches. Rose never managed to beat a Kovac team as a player in three attempts.
Leipzig cause for optimism
Leipzig's 18-game unbeaten run may have come to an end last week with the 2-1 reverse against Union Berlin, but if history is anything to go by they have reason to believe they'll get back on the horse here. Die Roten Bullen are unbeaten in their last six Bundesliga away games (W3, D3), and have only lost one of their 11 competitive encounters against Wolfsburg.
Wolves lacking bite?
After starting 2023 with thumping wins over Freiburg (6-0) and Hertha (5-0), Wolfsburg are now without a victory in their last four competitive games (L3, D1).
Hello and welcome!
Thanks for joining us for build-up and live match coverage of the Matchday 21 fixture between Wolfsburg and RB Leipzig.