RB Leipzig vs Bayern: The league title set to be decided on Saturday?

К сожалению, единственный доступный язык для этой страницы – английский.

апреля 2, 2021 подготовил(-а) Michelle Bonsu

Темы: TV Schedules, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga

Can Leipzig manage to close the gap on Bayern? This clash will ultimately prove decisive in who's crowned champions of Germany at the end of the 2020/2021 season.

Preview: RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

For much of the season, RB Leipzig had Bayern Munich in their sights as die Roten Bullen hoped that finally, they'd be able to get their hands on the league title. Just two points divided the two sides. However, a recent draw for Julian Naglesmann's side now has seen Bayern pull four points clear, and now the onus will be on the hosts to ensure that gap doesn't widen to seven by the time this round is concluded.

No team have been able to overcome a seven point disadvantage in Bundesliga history, and those odds will be even more daunting especially considering it's Bayern who are on top of the table. Considering that Leipzig only were founded in 2009 and only burst onto the Bundesliga scene in 2016, their rise has been nothing short of remarkable.

For each season they've been in the Bundesliga, including their debut campaign, Leipzig have qualified for European competition. Last season saw them make it all the way to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual runners-up PSG, but it was nonetheless a monumental achievement for a team who were playing in the fourth tier as recently as a decade ago.

Leipzig are also notable as they're the only team who have managed to prevent Hansi Flick's Bayern from scoring. Since he took over following Niko Kovac's sacking, the already ruthless Bavarian titans have become even more fearsome, and have managed to score in pretty much every single one of their 70-plus competitive matches.

That is, all but two. And the team that managed to shut them out - twice - are none other than Leipzig. Bayern will also be missing quite a few key players for this contest. Their biggest absence, of course, will be star man Robert Lewandowski, who, with 35 league goals, has been absolutely vital to the team's cause as they look to successfully defend their league and continental crowns.

While Bayern do have quite a strong attack - even without Lewandowski - his absence will still be a huge blow for Flick, especially with a tough Champions League rematch against PSG looming on the horizon. Other notable absentees include speedy defender Alphonso Davies, who is suspended, as well as veteran defender Jerome Boateng.

So, in short, Leipzig have a golden opportunity to potentially close the gap here to just one point if they can get things right against a team that has become a bitter rival in a short span of time. Will they be able to seize advantage? Or will Bayern, despite missing their star no. 9 up front, still be able to come out on top and effectively decide the Bundesliga title race this Saturday?

Team news: RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

RB Leipzig: Kevin Kampl is banned for this match, while Angelino (thigh), Dominik Szoboszlai (groin), and Marcel Halstenberg (COVID-19) will miss out. In addition, Konrad Laimer is a doubt due to a lack overall match fitness.

Bayern: After a long injury lay-off, new signing Tanguy Nianzou is finally back in training. However, he won't be back on the pitch just yet, which isn't shocking as it will take him quite some time to be fully match fit. The biggest absentee, however, for the visitors, will be top goal-scorer Robert Lewandowski, who suffered a knee injury while on international duty for Poland. Both Alphonso Davies and Jerome Boateng are suspended. And finally, Corentin Tolisso and Douglas Costa are still on the treatment table with thigh and foot injuries respectively.

Match facts: RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

Bayern have only failed to score twice in 76 competitive matches since Hansi Flick took over...
...and both were against RB Leipzig
Leipzig are currently on the longest unbeaten run in the Bundesliga
Die Roten Bullen have earned 22 out of 24 points from their last eight matches
If Bayern win, they'll be seven points ahead...
...and no team has been able to catch up after falling seven points behind in the title race
The last four meetings between Lepizig and Bayern have finished as a draw
This will be the tenth meeting between Leipzig and Bayern
Leipzig have lost just two of their last 27 Bundesliga games