Prediction: RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 16/5

Bookmaker: BetUS

The Bundesliga spotlight this weekend will be on Saturday’s highly anticipated clash between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich at the Red Bull Arena.

Both teams successfully progressed to the second round of the DFB-Pokal during the midweek matches and are now ready to resume league action. As things stand, there’s a single point separating them in the Bundesliga standings.

RB Leipzig

Leipzig secured their spot in the second round of the DFB-Pokal with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over second-tier side Wehen Wiesbaden on Wednesday, and much of the credit goes to 20-year-old talent Benjamin Sesko, who scored two crucial goals. Sesko, the Slovenian forward, has been impressive, tallying five goals in seven appearances for his new club.

As a result of this victory, RB Leipzig enters Saturday’s match on a six-game winning streak across all competitions, including four consecutive Bundesliga wins and a Champions League triumph over Young Boys prior to the midweek cup match.

After beginning their Bundesliga campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, Marco Rose’s team rebounded swiftly, starting with a resounding 5-1 win against Stuttgart. They followed this up with victories against Union Berlin, Augsburg, and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Not only have Leipzig been prolific in front of goal, scoring 14 goals in five league games, which places them fourth in the league’s scoring charts, but they have also been solid defensively, conceding only four. This defensive record is second only to that of Eintracht Frankfurt in the league.

Team News

Leipzig are dealing with a number of injury absences in their squad. Willi Orban (knee), Dani Olmo (knee), Amadou Haidara (calf), and El Chadaille Bitshiabu (knee) are currently sidelined.

Sesko is expected to retain his position in the starting lineup, given his impressive performances. He is likely to partner with Lois Openda in the forward line. Additionally, Xavi Simons and Fabio Carvalho are set to provide attacking support from the flanks.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich had a comfortable 4-0 victory over Preussen Munster in their midweek match, where they controlled 72% of possession and took 26 shots. They limited the third-tier side to only three attempts on target throughout the game.

In their Champions League opener, Bayern Munich secured a thrilling 4-3 win against Manchester United. Following that, they had a dominant 7-0 victory over VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga, with Harry Kane scoring his first hat-trick for the club and bringing his total to eight goals in seven appearances this season.

While Bayern Munich may still be disappointed about their 3-0 loss to Leipzig in the DFL-Supercup, they have put in several outstanding performances since then. They’ve earned 13 points out of a possible 15 in the league and have shown their class in both the Champions League and DFB-Pokal.

Despite other strong contenders like Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, and Borussia Dortmund being within two points of Bayern in the league standings after five matches, the Bavarians remain confident in defending their title. They have won it, after all, in the previous 11 Bundesliga seasons.

Team News

Forward Serge Gnabry might miss Saturday’s match due to a suspected broken hand that he sustained during the midweek cup win. Additionally, Tarek Buchmann (muscle), Gabriel Marusic (knee), and Manuel Neuer (leg) are still sidelined with injuries.

Harry Kane is set to return to lead the forward line after being on the bench for the Preussen Munster match. He is expected to be joined in the attacking department by Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane, and Thomas Muller, forming a potent offensive lineup.

Conclusion

Leipzig, fueled by their DFL-Supercup victory last month, enter this match with confidence, and they will aim to secure another favorable result against Bayern.

However, it might be a challenging task for the hosts to secure all three points, with Bayern, known for their prolific scoring, determined to make amends and come out strong in the match as well.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 16/5

Bookmaker: BetUS