Liam Garcia
Dailysports's expert
On May 29, 2025, Estádio Municipal Cícero de Souza Marques in São Paulo will host a friendly clash between Santos and RB Leipzig. Friendly matches often delight fans with a flurry of goals, and this encounter promises to be no exception.
Preview
Santos missed out on being one of the South American clubs to represent their continent at the upcoming Club World Cup in the USA. Still, they decided to give their fans a treat by facing a top European side—RB Leipzig. Even if it's just a friendly, this is a chance to remind the world of their presence on the international stage, especially in the absence of the Neymar-era glory days.
Unlike the German side, Santos are in the thick of their season. After 10 rounds of the Brazilian championship, the club sits third from the bottom—a worrying sign for the fans. Their return to the top flight after relegation in 2023 has so far been a tough battle. With only 8 points from 10 matches and an early exit from the Copa do Brasil at the 1/16 finals, these are disappointing results, especially given the expectations. It's clear that Javier Kleber's squad is not yet ready to compete with powerhouses like Palmeiras or Flamengo.
RB Leipzig also failed to qualify for the Club World Cup. Frankly, it was no surprise—their season was a letdown. While last year the "Bulls" finished fourth in the Bundesliga and secured a Champions League spot, this campaign saw them end up in seventh, missing out on European competition entirely.
Their Champions League run was a disaster: just 1 win and 7 defeats in 8 matches, only 3 points, and 32nd place overall—one of the weakest showings among all participants.
Amid these setbacks, the risk of losing key players has grown sharply. Top leagues are closely tracking Leipzig's stars—Benjamin Sesko, Xavi Simons, and Loïs Openda. Holding on to them after such a disappointing season and with no European football on offer will be a huge challenge. This friendly against Santos is not just a chance to reset and change the mood, but possibly the last time we'll see this Leipzig lineup together.
Probable lineups
- Santos: Gabriel Brazao, Godoy, João Basso, Luan Peres, Souza, Rincon, Zé Rafael, Rolheiser, Neymar, Deivid Washington, Guilherme
- RB Leipzig: Gulácsi, Seiwald, Geertruida, Bitshiabu, Raum, Baku, Vermeeren, Kampl, Simons, Nusa, Openda
Match facts and H2H
- In six of Santos' last matches, the "under 2.5 goals" bet has come in.
- Santos have scored just one goal in their last five games.
- Leipzig have kept a clean sheet only once in their last ten matches.
- In six of Leipzig's last eight games, the "over 2.5 goals" bet has landed.
Prediction
Given Santos' current form and Leipzig's defensive instability, we can expect an open and high-scoring match, with both sides eager to impress. Our tip: over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.58.
