Bundesliga: Rose’s Red Bulls Lock Horns with Leaders Bayern

RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

After a lengthy break, the Bundesliga is set to return with a bang as leaders Bayern Munich head to Leipzig to take on the third-place Red Bulls.

Bayern’s dominance will be put to the test as they will begin life without key members of their defence, Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez, who are both ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.

As for Leipzig, star striker Christopher Nkunku has finally returned to training after missing several weeks with a knee injury, but he now faces a race against time to be fully fit for this top-of-the-table clash.

Talking Points

Red Bulls on a roll under Rose

For the second straight season, RB Leipzig have recovered from a terrible start after making a managerial change. This time, it’s Marco Rose’s arrival that’s brought the Red Bulls back on the right track.

Since losing two of his first three games in charge, Rose’s Red Bulls have gone unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions, including eight in the Bundesliga (6 wins, 2 draws).

Christopher Nkunku was a major part of that revival. The French forward is having another fantastic season with 12 goals, which leads the Bundesliga. Unfortunately, Nkunku suffered a knee injury that saw him miss the World Cup. He has only just returned to training and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to play against Bayern.

Leipzig will need to get used to life without Nkunku, as the Frenchman is reportedly set to move to Chelsea in the summer.

In case Nkunku can’t go, Andre Silva will have the responsibility of leading the Leipzig attack against Bayern. The Portuguese has scored just two goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, but he did bag a goal and an assist in RB Leipzig’s 2-1 win over Werder Bremen in their last game before the break.

Timo Werner, who also missed the World Cup with injury, is also back fit and is ready to help Andre Silva create some Bundesliga 2023 highlights.

Dominant Bayern have defensive issues

After a bit of a rocky start to their campaign, Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga 2023 odds of winning their 11^th consecutive title are looking good. They entered the break with a four-point lead at the top as they won six league games on the trot.

Eric Choupo-Moting was the unlikely catalyst of Bayern’s return to dominance. The 33-year-old Cameroonian striker came into the starting lineup and went on a torrid run of 9 goals in 9 games in all competitions, five of which coming in the Bundesliga. Bayern won all nine games Choupo-Moting has started.

With Sadio Mane still out due to injury, Choupo-Moting is set to continue leading the attack alongside teenager Jamal Musiala, who already has 9 goals and 6 assists through 14 games, as well as Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman. Leroy Sane is a slight doubt with an illness.

Meanwhile, Bayern have some pressing injury concerns on the other end of the pitch. Captain Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez are both out for the remainder of the season after picking up injuries, while Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui is missing after suffering a severe Covid infection.

Bayern have still been unable to land a replacement for Neuer, so veteran Sven Ulreich looks set to start in goal for the leaders.

History

Despite RB Leipzig’s rise as one of the Bundesliga’s top teams, they have been dominated by Bayern in recent years. The Bavarians have won 7 of their last 12 meetings in the Bundesliga, with 4 draws and just one defeat. That lone Leipzig win came at home back in 2018.

Bayern did the double over Leipzig last season for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign. Bayern won 4-1 at Red Bull Arena and 3-2 at the Allianz. And this season, they beat the Red Bulls again 5-3 in the German Super Cup.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Bayern Munich as 1.85 favourites to beat RB Leipzig, who are priced at 3.65 at home. A draw is 3.90.

Both clubs were in fantastic form heading into the break, but with key players out as they return to action, it’s tough to see which side will adjust better.

Bayern certainly have the weapons to hurt Leipzig, who will be severely limited by the potential absence of Nkunku. Still, they will be at home, and Bayern’s defence could be a bit vulnerable without Neuer.

Don’t be surprised if the Red Bulls manage to hold the champions to a hard-fought draw in their first game back.

 

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