Two of Germany’s most out-of-form heavyweights will slug it out in what is now a mid-table clash for either side as they look to break into the top 10 in what has been an utterly torrid season for Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig.
Gladbach have struggled without their former manager Marco Rose this season, who is once again flying but with Borussia Dortmund. Adi Hutter has taken the helm this campaign, and in reality, the Austrian could just be a few more dropped points away from losing his job not long after leaving Eintracht Frankfurt.
Our record against @borussia_en: 📊🆚 10 games✅ 6 wins⚖️ 3 draws❌ 1 loss🔴⚪ #WeAreLeipzig #RBLBMG pic.twitter.com/d91qY8iIrB— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) December 10, 2021
Our record against @borussia_en: 📊🆚 10 games✅ 6 wins⚖️ 3 draws❌ 1 loss🔴⚪ #WeAreLeipzig #RBLBMG pic.twitter.com/d91qY8iIrB
On the other hand, Leipzig's struggles this season has also been met with the dismissal of Jesse Marsch, who in reality, has been one of the worst managers in recent Bundesliga history.
The American took over with Die Roten Bullen back in July and following 21 games, he won only eight, lost nine and drew four. It subsequently left him with a 38% win rate and his job under scrutiny since day one.
In fact, with Marsch gone, this will be the club’s first league game without the American coach and Forebet expects to see the post-manager spark flood through the Leipzig side and see more energy course through the side.
This was evident in their Champions League clash with Manchester City where the German outfit reigned supreme over the English champions, and despite not being able to advance through to the Champions League knockout rounds, Leipzig played like a side that had already qualified.
Achim Beierlorzer took the reins for that game as interim head coach as his side won 2-1, but Domenico Tedesco now takes charge of a Leipzig side that can’t get much worse than their 11th position in the table.
Gladbach are in an even worse position than the heavyweight side from Leipzig and the club are now 13th in the table and just like Leipzig, a worrying five points off relegation, meaning any more dropped points and the unthinkable fight could be on.
To make matters worse for Gladbach, they were absolutely destroyed by Freiburg last time out as the club lost 6-0 on home soil, not long after losing 4-1 to Koln - Die Fohlen have now conceded 10 goals in just two games and cannot afford to lose here.
A defeat is what Forebet are predicting, however, and in a game that will see over 2.5 goals due to Gladbach’s dreadful defensive record and Leipzig’s admirable attacking output.