Fresh off a dominant opener, the Red Bulls hunt a second straight victory as Christopher Nkunku eyes a starting role against a desperate, wounded Bremen side.
RB Leipzig will take their first steps away from home this Bundesliga season when they travel to Werder Bremen on Saturday, looking to turn an impressive opening weekend into the beginning of something more substantial.
Martín Demichelis could hardly have asked for a better introduction to league football.
Leipzig swept aside Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0, combining a convincing result with an attacking performance that suggested there is considerable potential in the new-look side. The trip to Bremen, however, should offer a different examination of their progress.
The Red Bulls will arrive with confidence, but Werder have considerably more urgency. Daniel Thioune's team began their campaign with a 4-1 defeat at Freiburg and will be determined to produce a response in front of their home supporters. For Leipzig, that means avoiding the complacency that can sometimes follow a comfortable opening victory.
The fixture also provides another opportunity for Christopher Nkunku to take centre stage.
The French forward returned to Die Roten Bullen against Gladbach and immediately reminded supporters of what he can bring to the attack. He came off the bench in the second half and made an instant contribution, helping create the move that produced Leipzig's third goal.
After getting valuable minutes under his belt, Nkunku could now be considered for a starting role. His return gives Demichelis another elite attacking option and potentially changes the balance of a Leipzig side already capable of creating significant problems for opposing defences.
There are concerns, though, particularly around RBL's availability in midfield and attack. Rocco Reitz is expected to miss the match with a thigh injury, while Brajan Gruda is also doubtful after suffering an ankle problem against Gladbach. Those absences could force Demichelis to make adjustments earlier than he would have wanted at this stage of the season.
Werder have problems of their own.
Jens Stage's injury has deprived Thioune of an important midfield presence, while the heavy defeat in Freiburg exposed defensive weaknesses that Leipzig will be eager to exploit.
One player capable of giving the visitors problems is Niclas Füllkrug. The striker already scored in the DFB-Pokal and remains one of Werder's most experienced attacking figures. Leipzig cannot afford to allow him space around the penalty area, particularly if Bremen manage to establish periods of sustained possession.
Recent history gives Leipzig plenty of reason for optimism. They have enjoyed remarkable success against Werder in recent Bundesliga meetings and remain unbeaten in the fixture across their last several league encounters.
But Demichelis will be more interested in what happens next than what happened before. A second consecutive Bundesliga victory would strengthen the belief created by the Gladbach win and give Leipzig an early platform from which to build.
The opening weekend showed what Leipzig can produce at their best. Bremen will now test whether they can produce it consistently.
