Preview: Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig - prediction, team news, lineups

Die Roten are in control of their own destiny thanks to a one-point lead over closest rivals Borussia Dortmund, and victory for Thomas Tuchel's team at the Allianz Arena would mean defeat for Dortmund on Sunday would put the Meisterchale back in Bavarian hands.

Match preview

Indeed, even if a Bayern win was to be coupled with a draw for Dortmund, the reigning champions will effectively seal top spot in Germany again, due to their far superior goal difference.

After more moderate wins over Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen helped Tuchel's men recover from losing to Mainz late last month, crushing Schalke 6-0 last week certainly helped in that regard, as Serge Gnabry's brace took Bayern's top Bundesliga scorer onto 13 goals, and his team have now racked up 89 from 32 league games.

While there have been a few bumps in the road since Tuchel started out by beating his old club in Der Klassiker - particularly exits in both the Champions League and DFB Pokal - he could be soon be adding more silverware to an already glittering CV.

Leipzig would not necessarily be anyone's preferred opponents when still requiring points to claim the title, but Bayern boast a truly formidable record on home soil this season: winning 11 and drawing five of their 16 Bundesliga fixtures at the Allianz Arena so far.

Furthermore, Die Roten have scored at least once in their last 56 home matches - incidentally, since Leipzig held them to a goalless draw back in February 2020.

This week's visitors join Bayern in the Bundesliga's top two regarding both highest possession average and fewest shots faced, and it was a tightly-contested affair in January's reverse fixture, when a Marcel Halstenberg strike cancelled out Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's opener at Red Bull Arena.

Such has been Leipzig's steadfastness of late, they have conceded just six goals in eight away games during 2023 - a Bundesliga low - and across Europe's top five leagues, only Serie A champions Napoli have fared better in that respect since the turn of the year.

The DFB-Pokal finalists - who will aim to successfully defend the cup in next month's final against Eintracht Frankfurt - now travel to Munich with a Champions League place tantalisingly close to their grasp. In fact, if fifth-placed Freiburg lose to Wolfsburg on Friday, they can then afford to lose their last two games and still qualify.

Now aiming to make it into Europe's top club competition for the sixth year out of seven, a 1-0 win at Freiburg took them up to third earlier this month, and a last-gasp win over Werder Bremen saw Die Roten Bullen virtually seal their place in the top four last week.

Even if Freiburg do take three points on Friday, a win in Munich would then make certain in some style. However, Leipzig have won only one of 16 previous competitive meetings with Bayern; drawing six and losing nine to date.

Set to face Schalke on the final day, Marco Rose's men are sure to finish no lower than fifth - which guarantees a Europa League place at least - and after a run of seven wins from eight in all competitions, they are in the mood for a first success against the champions since 2018.

Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:

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Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

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RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:

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RB Leipzig form (all competitions):

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Team News

After Thomas Muller returned to the Bayern Munich lineup to great effect last time out, the veteran 'raumdeuter' is set to keep his place on Saturday; consigning Sadio Mane to the bench.

Due to Leipzig's distinct attacking threat, Thomas Tuchel is likely to recall Leon Goretzka to partner Joshua Kimmich in central midfield, so Kingsley Coman could be sacrificed to make way.

Up front, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting remains doubtful with a knee problem, so Serge Gnabry should deputise again. The latter has found the net four times in his last three appearances but is yet to score for Bayern against Leipzig in nine top-flight meetings.

In addition to an injury list featuring Alphonso Davies (thigh), Lucas Hernandez (knee), Manuel Neuer (leg) and Josip Stanisic (muscular), it remains to be seen whether Neuer's stand-in Yann Sommer can overcome an illness which caused him to miss training this week. If unavailable, Sven Ulreich will start in goal

Leipzig, of course, are also without their first-choice goalkeeper, but Peter Gulacsi's continued absence could be their only one for the trip to Bavaria.

Josko Gvardiol may now return to the first XI at Lukas Klostermann's expense, while Dani Olmo hopes to recover from a muscular issue which sidelined him against Bremen.

Should the Spanish star fail a fitness test, Emil Forsberg would continue to support a front two featuring Timo Werner - who won the Champions League with Chelsea under Tuchel - and Stamford Bridge-bound Christopher Nkunku, the visitors' 13-goal Bundesliga top scorer.

Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:

Sommer; Mazraoui, Pavard, De Ligt, Cancelo; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Musiala; Gnabry

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Blaswich; Simakan, Gvardiol, Orban, Henrichs; Laimer, Haidara; Szoboszlai, Forsberg; Werner, Nkunku

We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 RB Leipzig

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