After winning the first trophy of the 2025/26 campaign, Bayern Munich will begin the new Bundesliga season by hosting RB Leipzig on Friday. The Bavarian club will look to start their title defense in the best possible way, but it will not be a straightforward game as RB Leipzig have managed to score in each of their last 10 games against Bayern.
The summer has been largely dominated by Bayern’s failings in the transfer window. Vincent Kompany has a smaller squad than last summer, which doesn’t bode well for a gruelling season ahead. Nevertheless, the Belgian coach will look to shut off the outside noise and guide his team to the best possible start in the Bundesliga.
Team News
Tom Bischof will have to wait for his Bundesliga debut with Bayern as he was ruled out for the game against RB Leipzig on Friday after undergoing an appendectomy. The participation of Aleksandar Pavlovic on Friday remains a doubt as he returned to first team training this week after a brief spell on the sidelines due to an eye socket injury.
Harry Kane and Konrad Laimer are fit for the clash against Leipzig despite sitting out of one training session this week. Hiroki Ito, Jamal Musiala, and Alphonso Davies remain long-term absentees for Bayern.
Predicted Starting XI
Vincent Kompany is likely to stick with the starting XI that played against VfB Stuttgart last weekend in the Franz Beckenbauer German Supercup. Manuel Neuer will be playing in his 20th Bundesliga campaign. The German shot-stopper was in fine form against Stuttgart last weekend. He is expected to continue in the goal on Friday.
Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah are the preferred center-back pairing for Vincent Kompany. The Bavarian club is working on a contract extension for Upamecano, while Tah has quickly adapted to the system since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in May. This center-back partnership will make its Bundesliga debut on Friday. Konrad Laimer will slot in the right-back position, while Josip Stanisic will likely get the nod over Raphael Guerreiro for the left-back role.
With Aleksandar Pavlovic doubtful for the clash against RB Leipzig, Kompany will stick with the experienced midfield pairing of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. The German duo was exceptional against Stuttgart in the Super Cup.
Luis Diaz will be making his Bundesliga debut on the left flank on Friday. The Colombian forward opened his account for Bayern by scoring the crucial second goal against Stuttgart. Serge Gnabry and Michael Olise will keep swapping between the number ten and right wing roles on Friday, while Harry Kane will lead the attack for defending champions.
Starting XI- Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Goretzka, Kimmich; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Kane
Score Predictons
Bayern Munich 3-1 RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig lost Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United this summer, which certainly weakens their attack. Considering how well Bayern have performed at Allianz Arena under Kompany in the last 12 months, anything but a home win looks improbable on Friday. Leipzig does have the firepower to get on the scoresheet, but the Bavarian club will clinch a comfortable win.