RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich H2H – RB Leipzig will welcome Bayern Munich to the Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon, hoping to continue their good run of form against the Bavarian giants.
Bayern sit in their usual position atop the Bundesliga table going into the weekend, but Marco Rose’s men could snatch top spot for themselves with a win.
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RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich H2H record:
Remarkably, this will only be the 19th meeting between two of Germany’s top sides, on account of RB’s rapid ascent through the ranks of German football. Bayern, as to be expected, have the edge.
- Bayern Wins: 10
- Draws: 5
- RB Leipzig Wins: 3
The first iteration of this matchup was in 2016/17, where Bayern cruised to a 3-0 win at the Allianz Arena against a Leipzig side featuring now-returned hero Timo Werner, former Liverpool star Naby Keita as well as future club captain and defensive stalwart Willi Orbán.
This fixture was a particularly happy hunting ground for Robert Lewandowski, who plundered nine goals against Die Roten Bullen, more than the next two top scorers in this fixture (Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku) combined.
Last time out…
However, since Lewandowski left for sunny Catalonia last summer, RB have clawed their way back into this fixture. They are unbeaten in three games against Bayern, with a Dani Olmo hat-trick helping them romp to a 3-0 Super Cup win last month, a result Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel described as “frightening” going into the new season.
RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich H2H: Potential MVP
To arrest their alarming form in this fixture, Bayern will turn to new man Harry Kane. The Englishman, whose fee will reach £100m if his add-ons are met, has made a truly explosive start to life in the Bundesliga.
The former Spurs striker has scored seven and assisted three in just five Bundesliga games this season. Kane has said he has been studying old Gerd Müller tapes to refine his goal scoring game, and it has clearly been paying off.
However, Kane is more than just a pure striker. One of his signature moves is dropping deep to play sweeping passes in behind for speedier teammates. With Leipzig’s notoriously high line and bombastic pressing, there will be plenty of space beyond their defence for Kane to find the likes of Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman.
RB Leipzig: Players in focus.
Xavi Simons – Another former PSG superstar?
20-year-old Dutchman Simons has started so well in Germany, that Leipzig have barely noticed the departure of Christopher Nkunku. He is their top scorer with three, and top creator with four assists.
Willi Orban – Top performance needed.
To stop Harry Kane, Leipzig will need centre-back and skipper Orban to be brave and stick tight to Kane even when he drops deep.
Lois Openda – Opportunity knocks?
£40m striker Openda scored 21 last season for Lens, and has started well in Germany, with three goals in five games. Bayern are missing defenders, and he may have a makeshift backline to torment.
Bayern Munich: Players in focus.
Harry Kane – Lewandowski’s heir?
Harry Kane loves breaking records – it’s one of his favourite pastimes – to match Lewandowski’s nine in this fixture, he will need to get off to a flyer.
Leon Goretzka – Makeshift centre-back.
Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-Jae and Matthijs de Ligt freakishly all picked up injuries during Bayern’s 7-0 defeat of Bochum last weekend, thrusting usual box-to-box midfielder Leon Goretzka into an unfamiliar role at centre-back, he will need to be on top of his game to stop Leipzig’s shapeshifting attack.
Konrad Laimer – Unwelcome return.
Austrian midfielder Laimer continued the well-trodden path of Bundesliga stars to Bayern in the summer, allowing his contract to expire. He will want to make an impression on his first return to the RB Arena.
Final prediction:
This is a genuinely tight game to call, with both sides bristling with attacking talent and looking to stamp their authority on the young Bundesliga season. Expect goals, as Bayern exploit Leipzig’s highline, and Bayern’s makeshift defence attempts to come to grips with the likes of Simons and Openda.
Despite Leipzig’s strong recent performances. Kane’s form may prove irresistible. We’re saying 3-2 to Bayern, with Kane to score first.
