When the start of the 2016/2017 Bundesliga campaign kicked off this past August, most observers figured that the title winner - and challengers - had been already predicted. Bayern Munich made history last season by becoming the first team to win four titles in a row, and the general consensus was that die Roten would again come out on top. Borussia Dortmund were mooted as a possible contender to potentially disrupt the Bavarians' dominance - but RB Leipzig were nowhere in that conversation. However, at the start of this round, they're on top and still continuing to shock German football fans!
Facts and Stats ahead of Bundesliga Matchday 13
Here are five things you may or may not know ahead of the upcoming round of fixtures starting on Friday:
Bundesliga Matchday 13 - U.S. viewing schedule
Below is the full U.S. schedule for round 13 of Bundesliga action starting this Friday
Dec. 2: Mainz 05 vs Bayern München on Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Sports GO, GOLTV USA, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, GolTV Espanol at 11:30 AM PST/2:30 PM EST
Dec. 3: Bayer Leverkusen vs Freiburg on Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Sports GO, Fox Deportes at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Dec. 3: Hoffenheim vs Köln on Fox Soccer 2GO USA at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Dec. 3: Borussia Dortmund vs Borussia M'gladbach on GOLTV USA, Fox Sports GO, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports 1 USA at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Dec. 3: Werder Bremen vs Ingolstadt on Fox Soccer 2GO USA at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Dec. 3: Wolfsburg vs Hertha BSC on Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports GO, Fox Soccer Plus at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Dec. 3: RB Leipzig vs Schalke 04 on Fox Sports GO, GOLTV USA, Fox Sports 2 USA, Fox Soccer 2GO USA at 9:30 AM PST/12:30 PM EST
Dec. 4: Darmstadt 98 vs Hamburger SV on Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Sports GO, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Deportes at 6:30 AM PST/9:30 AM EST
Dec. 4: Augsburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt on Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Deportes, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports GO at 8:30 AM PST/11:30 AM EST
*For more information, please navigate to each match's specific page
Bundesliga - Matchday 13 overview
RB Leipzig are just seven years old. That means the actual team is younger than all the players, coaches, and the overwhelming majority of fans (excluding, of course, the little kids still barely out of kindergarten). Nonetheless, that has not prevented die Bullen, who were featuring in the fifth tier just seven years ago, from making themselves at home in the top flight. Their arrival was viewed by anger from fans and even executives at other German clubs (i.e. Dortmund) who feel that their very existence goes against what German football truly stands for.
Of course, Leipzig could care less what others think. And after 12 rounds, they are still unbeaten and sitting three points clear of reigning champs Bayern Munich. They boast the highest scoring side so far and one of the strongest defenses in the league, which shows that they are not just keen on parking the bus and trying to grind out a point here and there.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will be desperate to get back on track after suffering a slip-up. Die Schwarzgelben appeared to have turned a corner after beating Bayern in der Klassiker, but find themselves in a disappointing seventh spot and a whopping nine behind surprise league leaders Leipzig.
Finally, here is one stat that will please Dortmund fans...but obviously not Gladbach supporters:
Bundesliga - Matchday 13 standings
Here's how things stand so far after 12 rounds in the 2016/2017 Bundesliga season. How will it look after matchday 13 concludes?
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayer Leverkusen | 30 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 75 | 20 | +55 | 80 | DWWWW | |
| 2 | Bayern München | 30 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 87 | 37 | +50 | 66 | WWLLW | |
| 3 | Stuttgart | 30 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 68 | 36 | +32 | 63 | LWWDW | |
| 4 | RB Leipzig | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 69 | 34 | +35 | 59 | WWWDW | |
| 5 | Borussia Dortmund | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 58 | 35 | +23 | 57 | DWLWW | |
| 6 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 30 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 46 | 40 | +6 | 45 | WLDDL | |
| 7 | Freiburg | 30 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 42 | 53 | -11 | 40 | DWLWL | |
| 8 | Augsburg | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 48 | 49 | -1 | 39 | LWLDW | |
| 9 | Hoffenheim | 30 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 53 | 60 | -7 | 39 | WLWLL | |
| 10 | Heidenheim | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 43 | 52 | -9 | 34 | LDWDD | |
| 11 | Werder Bremen | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 38 | 50 | -12 | 34 | WLDLL | |
| 12 | Borussia M'gladbach | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 53 | 60 | -7 | 31 | LLWLD | |
| 13 | Wolfsburg | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 35 | 50 | -15 | 31 | WLLWL | |
| 14 | Union Berlin | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 26 | 50 | -24 | 29 | LLLDW | |
| 15 | Mainz 05 | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 31 | 48 | -17 | 27 | DWWDW | |
| 16 | Bochum | 30 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 27 | LDLDL | |
| 17 | Köln | 30 | 4 | 10 | 16 | 23 | 53 | -30 | 22 | LLWDL | |
| 18 | Darmstadt 98 | 30 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 30 | 72 | -42 | 17 | WLLDL |
