Bayern Munich is set for a tough game against Bundesliga opponents RB Leipzig in their final home game of the year on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich close out their year with two important Bundesliga games this week. Die Roten delivered their best performance in the league this season against Hannover on Saturday and are now set to face a sterner test on Wednesday when they host RB Leipzig.
The Bavarians are finally gaining some sort of momentum under Niko Kovac. There are still massive problems that Kovac must address, but he is slowly churning out the results. Their Bundesliga form is on the rise, but they have to make sure it is not false dawn by delivering a good performance against their opponents.
Leipzig, meanwhile, are enduring a decent Bundesliga campaign. Their Europa league exit was disappointing, but they are delivering good performances in Bundesliga play. The Red Bulls can go ahead of Bayern in the table if they clinch a win at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Team News
There were no new injury concerns for Bayern on Saturday. Arjen Robben remains on the sidelines, though, as he is recovering from a recurring thigh injury. Kovac will not force the Dutchman’s return as he will be a crucial player for the Croatian in the second half of the season. Robben should be fit by the time Bayern visit Doha for their winter camp.
James Rodriguez will be also back by the time Bayern start training after the winter break. The Colombian needs to remain fit for the second half of season, as he too can be a decisive figure in crunch games like he was last season. Corentin Tolisso has started doing light work in the gym, but he still has a long recovery road ahead of him.
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Predicted XI
Kovac made few changes in the lineup on Saturday, but I expect him to move back to the same starting XI which has featured heavily in the past few weeks. Manuel Neuer has finally got the feel of clean sheets in the past few games. He will without a doubt continue in the goal for Bayern. Jerome Boateng will come back in the starting lineup and form the partnership with Niklas Sule in central defense. Rafinha and David Alaba will slot in the right-back and left-back positions respectively.
Joshua Kimmich has been the go-to man for Kovac in right-back and holding midfield positions. The German international will move back to midfield against his former club, as he provides a much better balance to the midfield. Leon Goretzka will partner his fellow countryman in the center of the park.
Thomas Muller is showing signs of his best days after a sustained run in his favored position behind Robert Lewandowski. The German will be deployed in the same role on Wednesday, while Lewandowski will lead the line for the home side. Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman will feature on the right and left sides of the attack.
Opposition Focus
RB Leipzig is one of the most entertaining teams in the Bundesliga. Their attack is devastating, and they have finally found a way to defend resolutely this season. The visitors have a great chance to win at the Allianz Arena as Bayern’s home record is less than impressive this season. Leipzig have the quality to catch Bayern’s sluggish defense on the counter and put goals past Manuel Neuer.
Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen have formed a deadly strike pair for Leipzig this season. The strike duo has scored 18 goals combined in the league. Jean-Kevin Augustin and Bruma are two other exciting attacking players that can cause havoc in the final third with their trickery and pace. Bayern need to dominate the midfield department to gain control of this game, as Leipzig have lost quality in this area after the departure of Naby Keita in the summer transfer window.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 3-2 RB Leipzig
Bayern delivered their best performance of the season against Hannover on Saturday. Die Roten are slowly building momentum in the league, but a win over RB Leipzig will surely confirm that the team is finally clicking under Kovac. It will be a close game, but I expect Bayern to get all the three points.