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Bayern logo
Bundesliga | Gameweek 33
May 20, 2023 at 5.30pm UK
Allianz Arena
Leipzig logo

Bayern
1 - 3
RB Leipzig

Gnabry (25')
Pavard (72')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Laimer (64'), Nkunku (76' pen.), Szoboszlai (86' pen.)
Gvardiol (68')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

As the Bundesliga title race reaches its climax, Bayern Munich would put themselves within a whisker of their 11th straight championship triumph by beating RB Leipzig on Saturday evening.

Bayern 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 keep the Meisterchale in Bavarian hands.


Match preview

Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry celebrates scoring their first goal with Thomas Mueller and Noussair Mazraoui on April 30, 2023© Reuters

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.

RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku pictured on May 2, 2023© Reuters

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.

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 last week saw Die Roten Bullen virtually seal their place in the top four.

A win in Munich would 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:


Bayern Munich form (all competitions):


RB Leipzig Bundesliga form:


RB Leipzig form (all competitions):



Team News

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel reacts on May 13, 2023© Reuters

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) and Manuel Neuer (leg), 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


SM words green background

We say: Bayern Munich 3-1 RB Leipzig

All but ending the closest Bundesliga title race in 13 years, Bayern are set to sweep aside Leipzig; leaving the pressure piled on Dortmund. At their fluent best against Schalke, the champions may be stepping up in class this week, but such are their attacking riches they can tame the Red Bulls once again.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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Game History

How you voted: Bayern vs RB Leipzig

Bayern Munich
71.7%
Draw
17.4%
RB Leipzig
10.9%
92
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Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel reacts on April 1, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern13103041103133
2Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1383233181527
3Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen1375130201026
4RB Leipzig137332114724
5Wolfsburg136342922721
6Borussia DortmundDortmund136342420421
7Freiburg136341717021
8Stuttgart135532623320
9Mainz 05Mainz135442318519
10Werder Bremen135442024-419
11Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach135351918118
12Union BerlinUnion Berlin134451214-216
13Augsburg134451625-916
14Hoffenheim133461825-713
15St Pauli133281117-611
16Heidenheim133191728-1110
17Holstein Kiel1312101333-205
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum1302111034-242


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