Bayern hosts Leipzig in final Bundesliga game of the year.
[introduction]
This Friday, December 20, at 19:30 [GMT], Bayern Munich will face RB Leipzig in a highly anticipated Bundesliga clash at the Allianz Arena, hoping to bounce back to winning ways.
[home]
Despite leading the Bundesliga table with 33 points [10W, 3D, 1L], Bayern Munich’s lead has shrunk in recent weeks. The Bavarians were stunned in a 2-1 loss to FSV Mainz last weekend at the MEWA ARENA after registering just one shot on target. The loss ended Bayern’s season-long unbeaten run, leaving them only four points ahead of their closest rivals, 2nd-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Vincent Kompany will be looking to steer the league leaders back to winning ways when they host RB Leipzig in what will be the final Bundesliga fixture of the calendar year. In what could be a good luck charm, Bayern Munich are unbeaten in such a game since they last lost to Gladbach in 1984. In addition, they have won 11 such fixtures since a 1-1 draw against Gladbach in 2012. A league-long record that remains in place. However, while Bayern have won 13 of their 16 Bundesliga home games [13W, 1D, 2L] in the current calendar year, 2024, they have only won two of their six competitive home games against RB Leipzig [2W, 2D, 2L]. Vincent Kompany will have to contend with a lengthy injury list that leaves as many as ten players ruled out. Kompany left Thomas Müller at the attacking end of a 4—2—3—1 formation against Mainz and is expected to do so again against Leipzig.
[away]
Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda were once again instrumental as Leipzig rallied on to a 2-1 win over Frankfurt last Sunday at the Red Bull Arena. Both players were on the scoresheet in both halves, helping Leipzig convert two of their nine shots on target borne of 19 attempts. The victory left the Red Bulls with back-to-back wins after a rough patch of form, which left Leipzig with back-to-back defeats [DLLWW]. Sitting fourth with 27 points [8W, 3D, 3L], Leipzig are six points behind Bayern and will be looking to cut that deficit when they go head-to-head with the league leaders on Friday. While Bayern will be holding on to their lucky charm, Leipzig also have something to look up to. The visitors have been in stellar form in games played on a Friday, picking up an average of 2.3 points from 22 BL games played on this particular day of the week. A 5—3—2 is expected from Marco Rose with the duo consisting of Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda poised to lead the attack. Amadou Haidara, Xavi Simons, and Yussuf Poulsen are all ruled out of Friday’s encounter.
