A victory for visitors Bayern Munich against RB Leipzig on Saturday at Red Bull Arena would secure the Bundesliga title.
Leipzig are in fifth place with 49 points following their 4-0 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt on April 26, while Bayern’s tally of 75 points is eight more than second-placed Bayer Leverkusen with just three matches remaining.
Match preview
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Die Roten Bullen were only trailing 1-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt when they were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute, after which they generated no big chances.
Leipzig began their Bundesliga season with six clean sheets in their first eight matches but have kept just seven in their subsequent 23 fixtures, and they have not prevented their opponents from scoring in their last five in the league.
Interim boss Zsolt Low will still believe that his side can qualify for the Champions League considering they are just two points from fourth-placed Freiburg, though they also face the prospect of missing out on European football given they are only two points ahead of seventh-placed Mainz 05.
Leipzig had drawn one and won two of their three games prior to their loss against Eintracht Frankfurt, and it should be noted that they triumphed in three of their last six in the league, losing on two occasions.
The hosts’ record at Red Bull Arena has been exceptional, with the club losing just one of their past 11 at home, achieving victory seven times.
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As for Bayern, they overcame Mainz 3-0 on April 26, though they were fortunate that opposition striker Jonathan Burkardt squandered a golden chance in front of goal after a defensive mistake in the sixth minute and failed to give his side the lead.
The Bavarians have managed to find the back of the net 18 times in their past seven outings, and their return of 90 goals in the Bundesliga is at least 34 more than any other top-flight club.
Bayern will also win the Bundesliga title should reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen fail to beat Freiburg on Sunday, though a draw would in all likelihood be enough considering their goal difference of 61 is 30 more than Leverkusen’s.
Vincent Kompany‘s team are unbeaten in their last three against Leipzig, winning twice including earlier in the league season when they won 5-1 on December 20.
Bayern have been held to two stalemates in their last five in all competitions, winning two and losing one in that period.
Kompany’s team boast an excellent record on the road having not experienced defeat in their nine most recent away games, emerging triumphant six times.
Team News
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Centre-back El Chadaille Bitshiabu was sent off for Leipzig against Eintracht Frankfurt, and he will join injured defenders Benjamin Henrichs and Willi Orban on the sidelines.
Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi‘s concussion is likely to lead to Maarten Vandevoordt‘s selection between the posts behind a defence consisting of Kosta Nedeljkovic, Lukas Klostermann, Castello Lukeba and David Raum.
Xaver Schlager‘s hamstring injury may keep him out of action until the middle of May, and his absence could see Nicolas Seiwald and Amadou Haidara feature in midfield.
Bayern striker Harry Kane has accumulated too many yellow cards and will miss out – as will attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala due to injury – but veteran Thomas Muller can be expected to lead the line ahead of Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane.
Defenders Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito and Kim Min-Jae‘s injuries have left Kompany dealing with a crisis in the backline.
Full-back Josip Stanisic may have to play in central defence alongside Eric Dier, while midfielder Konrad Laimer could be used at right-back, though backup left-back Raphael Guerreiro is ready to start.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Vandevoordt; Nedeljkovic, Klostermann, Lukeba, Raum; Baku, Seiwald, Haidara, Simons; Sesko, Openda
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Dier, Stanisic, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Sane; Muller
We say: RB Leipzig 2-2 Bayern Munich
Even without talisman Kane, Bayern can still field a formidable attacking unit and should have enough firepower to score more than once.
However, it is difficult to look past the Bavarians’ depleted backline, and Leipzig could plausibly find some joy in the final third.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
