Bayern Munich have a slender four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table over RB Leipzig. On Saturday, the two rivals will meet at the Red Bull Arena in a potential title decider.
The big news going into the fixture is the absence of Bayern Munich star striker Robert Lewandowski. The striker damaged knee ligaments on international duty with Poland and will now sit out the next four weeks.
Lewandowski has scored 35 goals for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season. His absence will be huge for Die Roten as they go in search of a first win over RB Leipzig in four tries.
While Bayern Munich have struggled to defeat Die Roten Bullen, they have lost just once to their title rival since 2016. RB Leipzig will aim to take points off of Bayern Munich with Lewandowski out of action.
RB Leipzig have the Bundesliga’s best goals conceded figure with just 21 goals allowed. Julian Nagelsmann’s team will be focused on keeping Bayern Munich out of goal, although workhorse midfielder Kevin Kampl is suspended.
The clubs played out a wild 3-3 thriller at the Allianz Arena in December with Bayern Munich having to come from behind three different times to get the draw. Thomas Muller’s 75th-minute goal gave Bayern Munich the point.
RB Leipzig are the Bundesliga’s in-form team. They took 16 points from their last 18 on offer in the Bundesliga. They outscored opponents 13-4 during that timeframe.
Bayern Munich took 13 points from their last 18 on offer in the league. Die Roten outscored their last six opponents 20-9 and are on a four-game winning streak.
Lewandowski isn’t the only key player Hansi Flick will be missing this weekend. Left-back Alphonso Davies and centre-back Jerome Boateng are both ruled out through suspension.
The coach does have options in attack to replace Lewandowski.
He could use the trio of Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, and Leroy Sane or simply replace Lewandowski with Eric Choupo-Mouting or Muller. While the striker’s absence is significant, it can be overcome.
Bayern Munich do have a Champions League quarterfinal first leg fixture versus Paris Saint-Germain upcoming. They must not overlook RB Leipzig this weekend or the title could slip away.
The German rivals are likely to see a fourth match in row end in a draw. Expect RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich to both get on the scoresheet when they meet.
The match should be a thriller just like their game back in December.