Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to extend their advantage at the summit of the Bundesliga table when they take on RB Leipzig at Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
As it stands, Xabi Alonso’s side find themselves four points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich, although the defending champions have a game in hand.
🚧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐁𝐋 𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 🚧 pic.twitter.com/4HF4fVnst2— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) January 16, 2024
🚧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐁𝐋 𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 🚧 pic.twitter.com/4HF4fVnst2
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls sit fourth – three points inside the Champions League places and 12 points behind the league leaders.
Despite racking up 63% possession and 31 shots last weekend, RB Leipzig suffered a 1-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, with the visitors converting their only attempt on target.
Following a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen before the winter break, the Red Bulls head into Saturday’s showdown on a two-game winless run.
Leipzig lost just one of their opening nine Bundesliga matches this season, picking up six wins along the way, but they have since suffered three defeats in eight outings.
Still, the Red Bulls can take confidence from their strong home record, as they have lost just four of their last 34 encounters at Red Bull Arena.
On the flip side, Bayer Leverkusen have yet to taste defeat across all competitions this season, highlighting their prowess under the guidance of Xabi Alonso.
Not only have Bayer avoided defeat in 17 Bundesliga games – securing 14 wins in the process – but they have also avoided defeat in all 26 outings this term.
After racking up a 14-game winning streak between September and November, Leverkusen enter Saturday’s clash on a four-game winning run.
It is also worth noting that Alonso’s men boast the best defensive record in the German top flight, as well as the second-best offensive record.
Head-to-head: On the opening weekend of the 2023-24 season, Bayer Leverkusen claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over RB Leipzig.
Although Leverkusen have won each of their last two meetings with Leipzig, both sides have registered three victories across the past six encounters.
Team news: Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Mali, while centre-back Willi Orban remains sidelined due to injury.
Leverkusen trio Amine Adli, Odilon Kossounou and Edmond Tapsoba are also on AFCON duty, while Victor Boniface and Arthur find themselves on the treatment table.
Although Bayer are missing a number of key players, Leipzig will struggle to end Leverkusen’s lengthy unbeaten streak this weekend.
Forebet predicts that Bayer Leverkusen will score over 1.5 goals on their way to beating RB Leipzig, extending their unbeaten run while maintaining their lead at the top.