Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Sarwar ·
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Following consecutive draws, Bayern Munich need to buck that trend in this high-profile Saturday evening Bundesliga encounter vs RB Leipzig.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – ESPN+
Bayern Munich preview: Week of setbacks
Bayern Munich aren’t used to not winning football matches under Vincent Kompany, but that’s what we’ve seen over this past week. Firstly, they were held to a draw for the second time this season in the Bundesliga, Augsburg again proving the scourge of both Kompany and the Rekordmeister by forcing them to settle for a 2-2 draw.
But it got worse for Bayern in Norway, as Viking struck late to salvage a 3-3 draw after previously throwing away a two-goal lead. The defending hasn’t been good, whilst both Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig in goal have left a lot to be desired. Not to mention discipline, after Michael Olise was sent off in the Viking game for throwing the ball at an opponent while on a yellow card.
RB Leipzig preview: Home is where the heart is
Unlike the hosts, it’s been a fantastic week for RB Leipzig, who offensively are looking as good as we’ve seen them for a long time. Only a few days after thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt by six goals to nil, Martin Demichelis’ men carved out plenty of opportunities against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and eventually overwhelmed the visitors, Brajan Gruda’s second-half goal winning it.
Leipzig’s last two home Bundesliga fixtures have seen them accrue a whopping 11 goals when you include their 5-0 beating of Hamburg. However, away from home has not been as prolific. Demichelis’ side losing to both Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen, with Bayern coming up here.
Bayern Munich team news: Neuer fighting to reach landmark
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is battling to recover from injury and become the oldest player to ever represent Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, whilst Jamal Musiala remains out.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer: Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Davies: Kimmich (c), Pavlovic: Olise, Saibari, Diaz: Kane
Unavailable: Musiala (Injured)
Questionable: Neuer (Injured)
RB Leipzig team news: Same absentees
Four players remain missing through injury for RB Leipzig, those being Christoph Baumgartner, Viggo Gebel, Marc Guiu and Assan Ouedraogo.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vandevoordt: Baku, Orban, Castello, Raum: El Aynaoui, Banzuzi: Gruda, Nkunku, Nusa: Romulo
Unavailable Baumgartner (Injured), Gebel (Injured), Guiu (Injured), Ouedraogo (Injured)
Questionable:
Will Bayern Munich get back to winning ways?
Open poll and resultsBayern Munich vs RB Leipzig prediction
Bayern Munich have endured a week of frustration and perhaps a big game with lots of pressure on their shoulders is needed for them to get back on track. Playing at home will be a big help with the draws against Augsburg and Viking both coming on the road and they thumped RB Leipzig in this fixture last season.
The man to watch out for is Michael Olise. No doubt still disappointed at letting the team down in midweek, Olise will have a point to prove and when considering that he has racked up six goals in his last three games at the Allianz Arena in all competitions, it’s well worth backing him to get on the scoresheet once again, along with Bayern forcing their way back in the win column.
Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig tip: Bayern Munich to win and Michael Olise to score anytime
