The Bundesliga is experiencing a title race this season for a change. Bayern Munich go into round 18 just four points ahead of RB Leipzig, who sit third in the division. Sitting between the rivals are Union Berlin, who are three points off the Bavarians.
On Friday night, Leipzig can put pressure on Bayern Munich and close the gap to just one point in the race for the Bundesliga title. Leipzig will welcome Stuttgart to the Red Bull Arena, as they seek a fifth straight win in all competitions against the Swabians.
Moving on up 🧗♂️🪜 pic.twitter.com/4DzTnNsn7o— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) January 26, 2023
Moving on up 🧗♂️🪜 pic.twitter.com/4DzTnNsn7o
Marco Rose’s team is on a fine run of form with six straight games ending without defeat. RB Leipzig picked up 16 points from their last six games, scoring 17 goals and conceding five times. Only Wolfsburg have done better over the last six matches.
Stuttgart are set for a relegation battle. The Swabians are 15th in the table ahead of matchday 18 and only above the relegation-playoff place thanks to goal difference.
Coach Bruno Labbadia has appointed in early December during the Bundesliga’s World Cup/Winter Break. Labbadia has had experience as a relegation firefight but the job in Stuttgart is a difficult one. Labbadia did lead Stuttgart to back-to-back draws.
The Swabians are coming off a midweek 2-2 result at Hoffenheim. Stuttgart took eight points from the last six games, with eight goals for and 10 against.
Stuttgart are one of the Bundesliga’s worst road teams, with a mere four points from eight away games. They are one of three teams in the league not to win away from home this season.
Unfortunately for Stuttgart, RB Leipzig are the Bundesliga’s best home team. Die Roten Bullen are unbeaten at home with six wins and two draws. They scored 20 goals in eight games at Red Bull Arena and conceded just six times.
Rose will be without Abdou Diallo due to a knee injury. Defender Mohamed Simakan is also out of action following a muscle strain.
Christopher Nkunku is ruled out with a knee injury and Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi is recovering from an ACL injury and won’t return this season.
Labbadia won’t have Mavropanos after he suffered a head injury. Tiago Tomas and Silas Mvumpa are both ruled out with injuries until February.
Defenders Dan-Axel Zagadou and Borna Sosa are both ruled out with leg injuries. Laurin Ulrich will miss the game with an illness.
Leipzig are on a four-game home winning streak against Stuttgart. Die Roten Bullen should pick up a fifth straight home win over Stuttgart, as the match ends 2-1.