Borussia Mönchengladbach vs RB Leipzig
It is tight in the race for a European berth in Germany’s top flight.
Sixth place guarantees a place in the Europa Conference next season and, with just eight points separating third place Mainz and Stuttgart in 10th spot, that means there’s plenty to play for.
Indeed, only two points and two places separate these two sides with Borussia Monchengladbach (seventh on 40 points) hot on the Bundesliga heels of RB Leipzig (fifth on 42 pts).
That means there is much at stake this weekend when this SBOTOP writer is anticipating Bundesliga 2025 highlights.
Talking Points
Both teams can match the best on their day; the issue is they are not consistent enough to have ‘their day’.
Under the management of former Bayer Leverkusen and Young Boys’ coach Gerardo Seoane, Monchengladbach are certainly entertaining with 83 goals (for and against) in their last 26 Bundesliga matches alone.
That was evident last time out when they won 4-2 at Werder Bremen, a game in which they led 2-0, were pegged back by half-time but then turned on the style again in the second half to emerge victors.
Once a powerhouse in German football, now they could just do with keeping a few clean sheets to climb up the table.
If there is a buzz of excitement at Monchengladbach, European football is considered the very minimum expectation at Leipzig.
After such a meteoric rise since the club was formed in 2009, you could even say expectation levels are too high, probably to an unrealistic level when you consider the number of top players they have sold in recent years – Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nkunku, Naby Keïta, Dani Olmo, Timo Werner, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano to list just seven.
RB Leipzig’s rise in German football has been a remarkable story, and their impact has been felt throughout the country. Indeed, it is a rise which has been met with both admiration and criticism.
Some see them as a refreshing new addition to German football, while others view them as a symbol of everything that’s wrong with modern football and a threat to the integrity of the sport.
Whatever your opinion, there’s no denying that their success has been significant and has challenged the traditional power structures of German football.
Their history began when the Austrian energy drink company Red Bull acquired the playing rights of fifth-tier German side SSV Markranstädt. They rebranded the team as RB Leipzig and their journey began.
Various promotions followed and, in 2015, after just one season in the 2. Bundesliga, RB Leipzig won promotion to the top flight where they have since established themselves as a top team.
Yet because of that, Marco Rose is under some pressure, even though it eased slightly with a fine 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund just before the international break.
Xavi Simons and Lois Openda scored the goals in that contest and both will have key parts to play if they are to qualify for the Champions League. Along with Benjamin Sesko (10 goals and three assists to date this term), Openda has eight goals and five assists and Simons has seven goals and four assists.
Their main doubt this weekend surrounds Austrian international attacker Christoph Baumgartner after he picked up a head injury on international duty last weekend. They have a few confirmed absentees including the likes of Benjamin Henrichs and Antonio Nusa.
The hosts have sustained a major blow as they will be without one half of an their front partnership of Alassane Plea and Tim Kleindienst.
The latter is suspended and that is a blow given he has 15 goals and six assists so far this term – Plea has nine goals and four assists – and he is arguably Germany’s best centre forward right now.
Only Harry Kane and Omar Marmoush (who moved to Manchester City in January) have more goal involvements in the Bundesliga this season, while Kleindienst has netted twice for the national team, home and away against Italy over the past week.
His absence may just give Leipzig the extra edge.
History
Given the meteoric rise of Leipzig, it perhaps should not be a surprise that these two sides had never met until September 2016.
On that occasion Werner gave the home side a sixth minute lead before Fabian Johnson levelled for Monchengladbach with six minutes remaining.
Leipzig have actually won 10 of their 17 meetings to date with four draws, including the goalless encounter in Leipzig earlier this term.
The last of three Monchengladbach successes came in this fixture two seasons ago when Jonas Hoffman netted twice before Ramy Bensebaini completed the scoring in a 3-0 home victory.
Betting Tip
The Bundesliga 2025 betting odds edge towards Leipzig and that is fair enough given the positions of both teams.
The visitors can be backed 1X2 @ 2.20 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.05.
Monchengladbach are priced 1X2 @ 2.74 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.17.
Another goalless draw is on offer at a whopping @ 19.00 with Correct Score, while a re-run of last season’s clash will pay out @ 12.00 with Correct Score 0-1.I don’t think there will be too many goals but I am going to buck the predictions and go for honours even so my ** tip is 1X2 Draw @ 3.39.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (
) BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
= €10 (CONFIDENT)
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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