RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

RB Leipzig faces Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Friday night after a gap of more than two months without playing. The hosts sit third in the table, six points off log leaders Die Roten. The visitors top spot on the standings has come after just one loss in 15 matches to this point having scored 49 goals, at least 17 more than any other team.

RB Leipzig Form

Marco Rose’s side went into the extended World Cup hiatus on a 13-match unbeaten run having been on a streak of four defeats in five before that. After drawing 3-3 at Augsburg in October, they beat Real Madrid 3-2 at home, beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0, and thrashed Shakhtar 4-0 on the road to secure the second spot in their Champions League group.

Their final three matches in October saw three league victories, vs Hoffenheim (3-1), Freiburg (3-1), and Werden Bremen (2-1). They have played several friendly matches prior to the resumption, winning all of them. They have netted 21 goals in their last eight Bundesliga fixtures.

RB Leipzig Team News

Marco Rose has a couple of key absentees for this match. Last season’s Bundesliga player of the year, Christopher Nkunku is out injured. Like Bayern, they are without their captain and goalkeeper, Peter Gulacsi.

Timo Werner missed the World Cup due to injury but he is fit again for this match. He will battle Dani Olmo for a spot up front alongside Andre Silva. France U21 international Mo Simakan is set to play in defence. It’s not clear if midfielder Konrad Laimer is fit to play and he appears set to join Bayern Munich in this transfer window.

RB Leipzig Motivation

The Red Bulls need to win this match if they want to realistically win the title this year. They will attack and won’t sit back.

Marco Rose should have some good options on his bench to throw on if chasing the three points; he is not expected to settle for a draw at any point.

Bayern Form

Bayern lost to Mainz in April 2022 and have beaten just once since then in 26 matches. That loss was a 1-0 shock at Augsburg in September and they’ve since gone 13 without losing with 49 goals scored. After winning 3-0 against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, they thrashed Mainz 6-2 and beat Inter Milan 2-0 to make it six from six in the Champions League.

They won their final three Bundesliga fixtures going into the long World Cup hiatus. They won 3-2 at Hertha Berlin (having led 3-0 after 38 minutes) before a 6-1 home thrashing of Werder Bremen. Their final match was a 2-0 victory at Schalke.

Bayern Team News

Bayern are without captain Manuel Neuer in goal. Sven Ulreich is set to deputise. Defender Lucas Hernandez is out long-term so Dayot Upamecano could partner Mattjis De Ligt with January signing Daley Blind another option.

Sadio Mane remains absent in attack. Eric Choupo-Moting (11 goals in all competitions) will lead the line with Kingsley Coman or Leroy Sane pushing to replace Mane.

Bayern Motivation

Nagelsmann’s side will attack and play to win. They won’t stop attacking regardless of the score-line and will look to drive home any advantage. Without Neuer in goal, they may feel like they need to outscore their opponents.

Whilst a draw is hardly a terrible result in reality, they Bayern won’t see it as a good point and won’t settle for less than the full haul.

Key Stats

RB Leipzig have W6, D1 of their 7 home matches (Bundesliga)

RB Leipzig are 13 matches unbeaten (11 wins)

Leipzig have seen Both Teams Scoring in 6 of their last 7 league matches

Bayern have W5, D2, L1 of their 8 away league matches

Bayern Munich are unbeaten in 10 matches vs RB Leipzig

Bayern have won their last 4 away matches at RB Leipzig (13-4 aggregate)

Bayern’s Musiala is their top scorer with 12 goals this season

Verdict

This game promises to have plenty of goals. Leipzig are playing really well but it’s hard to look past Bayern’s crazy goalscoring feats of late and their record vs the Red Bulls.

Best Bet: Bayern Munich win at 1.83

Alternative Bet: Over 3.5 goals at 2.00

Alternative Bet: Bayern Munich win and Musiala to score anytime at 4.15

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis