Both sides were involved in friendlies last week, with the hosts thrashing Mlada Boleslav 4-0, while Bayern were held to a 4-4 draw by Austrian outfit RB Salzburg.
Bundesliga is set to return following the World Cup break, as RB Leipzig play host to Bayern Munich at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig on Friday night. Both sides were involved in friendlies last week, with the hosts thrashing Mlada Boleslav 4-0, while Bayern were held to a 4-4 draw by Austrian outfit RB Salzburg. Bayern are currently occupying top spot in the German top flight standings, having collected 34 points from 15 games, while the Red Bulls are sitting two places behind the Bavarians, with 28 points to their name. Meanwhile, the previous meeting between these two sides was almost six months ago, in the German Super Cup final, which ended 5-3 in favour of Bayern, courtesy of goals from Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, Benjamin Pavard, Sadio Mane and Jamal Musiala.
🔎 𝖃 𝖒𝖆𝖗𝖐𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖙 👣🏆
The hunt for more Bundesliga points resumes in less than 24 hours! 🚨#packmas #RBLFCB pic.twitter.com/VyeXtu981K
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 19, 2023
Leipzig have lost once under their new manager Marco Rose, who took charge of the team after the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco early in September. The Red Bulls safely made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League and they are unbeaten since the start of October, a run which stretches back 13 games, 11 of which have ended in victory. In their last competitive outing against Werder Bremen on November 12, Rose’s men secured all three points at Weserstadion, courtesy of goals from Andre Silva and Xaver Schlager. Striker Christopher Nkunku has been in stunning form, having recorded 33 goal-contributions for Leipzig in 2022.
Bayern, on the other hand, have the best attacking unit in the German top flight, having scored 49 league-goals thus far. Julian Naglesmann’s side netted an astonishing 21 goals in their final four home games before the World Cup break. Bayern’s last league-game against Schalke ended in a 2-0 win over November 12. Serge Gnabry and Eric Maxim Choupu-Moting found the back of the net at Veltins-Arena to help the Bavarians take all three points. Meanwhile, Friday’s game is likely to be an exciting encounter, as there has been an incredible 50 goals scored in the last 15 competitive meetings between the two clubs over the last six years.
Leipzig striker Nkunku is sidelined with a knee injury, while Timo Werner is doubtful because of an ankle problem. Defender Josko Gvardiol, who had a stunning World Cup campaign for Croatia, is expected to partner Orban at the heart of the back-four. Club captain Peter Gulacsi is out in goal, therefore Orjan Nyland might start between the sticks. As for Bayern, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is out with a broken leg, therefore Sven Ulreich might start in goal. Swiss international Yann Sommer has joined the club from Borussia Monchengladbach this week. Daley Blind could make his debut for the Bavarians at the left-back position after he was brought in following Lucas Hernandez’ ACL injury at the World Cup.
RB Leipzig probable line-up: Nyland, Simakan, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum, Schlager, Laimer, Haidara, Szoboszlai, Forsberg, Andre Silva
Bayern Munich probable line-up: Ulreich, Mazraoui, Pavard, Upamecano, Davies, Goretzka, Musiala, Limmich, Gnabry, Choupo-Moting, Sane
RB Leipzig
Opponents | Score |
Mlada Boleslav | 4-0 (W) |
Eintracht Frankfurt | 2-4 (L) |
Horsens | 2-1 (W) |
Radomiak Radom | 6-0 (W) |
Werder Bremen | 1-2 (W) |
Bayern Munich
Opponents | Score |
Salzburg | 4-4 (D) |
Schalke | 0-2 (W) |
Werder Bremen | 6-1 (W) |
Hertha Berlin | 2-3 (W) |
Inter Milan | 2-0 (W) |
Last 5 match-results | Score |
Bayern beat RB Leipzig | 3-5 |
Bayern beat RB Leipzig | 3-2 |
Bayern beat RB Leipzig | 1-4 |
Bayern beat RB Leipzig | 0-1 |
Bayern beat RB Leipzig | 3-2 |
The Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich will take place at Red Bull Arena Leipzig on Saturday at 1:00 am IST.
RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich | Key Details |
Date | January 20 (Germany) |
Venue | Red Bull Arena Leipzig |
Kickoff time in Germany | 8:30 pm (Friday) |
Kickoff time in India | 1:00 am (Saturday) |
The live telecast of the Bundesliga matches in India is available on the Sony Sports network. Fans will also be able to watch the match on Jio TV. Besides, the match between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich can also be seen on DAZN 1, DAZN and Sat.1 in Germany.