Third-place Bayern Munich host fourth-place RB Leipzig for round 16 in the Bundesliga. Bayern have performed below par this term under first-year manager Niko Kovac.
However, they have played well over their last three Bundesliga matches, winning each. Leipzig have won four of their last six matches in the league. The Red Bulls defeated Mainz in round 15, 4-1.
Leipzig have tallied the sixth most goals in the Bundesliga (28), while conceding the fewest goals of any team (14). Ralf Ragnick’s team has struggled on the road gaining just eight points from 21 possible, however. Ten of the 14 goals the Red Bulls have conceded have come in away fixtures. Ragnick’s team does not travel well and due to its penchant to concede away goals, will struggle against Bayern’s attack.
Kovac has seen his team score the third most goals in the Bundesliga (32), while posting a +14-goal difference. Since being threatened with the sack in October, Kovac has settled his Bayern team down. They are playing far better than in the early stages of the season, but it seems Bayern aren’t quite as strong as in years past. The combination of buying poorly in the transfer market and veteran players ageing is taking its toll on the club.
Bayern have obtained 12 points from 21 possible at the Allianz Arena. They are +4 in goal difference at home and have surprisingly allowed 10 goals. Although Bayern won their last home fixture, 3-0 over Nuremburg, they were winless in the four games prior. Three of those matches were draws against lower table teams.
Kovac will be without Franck Ribery due to injury. The midfielder has been at Bayern for 12 seasons, but time is catching up with him. Bayern’s 19-year-old South Korean midfielder Woo-Yeong Jeong is expected to take Ribery’s place. Arjen Robben is also ruled out of the game.
Leipzig does pose a threat to Bayern. The Red Bulls are just two points back and they won their previous meeting with Bayern last March, 2-1. However, Bayern have won four of the five all-time meetings between the clubs. They have outscored the Red Bulls 12-7. In addition, Leipzig players have seen red cards three times in five games.
All five meetings between the teams have had two or more goals. Three of which have seen over 2.5 goals scored. Wednesday night’s match shouldn’t disappoint and goals will be tallied by both clubs at the Allianz. Bayern will pick up all three points, both teams will score, and once again, they will tally over 2.5 goals.