Bundesliga: High-flying Leipzig Vs Leaders Bayern Headlines Matchday 16 Matchups

A pulsating fixture between two sides that found formidable form prior to theseason pause is the promise as we get back underway on Bundesliga Matchday 16. Both Leipzig and Bayern go into the game boasting respective 13-game unbeaten runs in all competitions, with Friday’s third-placed hosts a mere six points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern.

“Our task is to find our way back into the form that we were in during the first half of the season; that’s no easy feat,” said Leipzig coach Marco Rose ahead of what will be a 12th Bundesliga meeting between the teams. The 46-year-old – brought in to replace Domenico Tedesco last September – has overseen an awesome upturn in fortunes at the Red Bull Arena since his arrival. A haul of 23 points from his last 10 Bundesliga games in charge is matched only by weekend opponents Bayern. Leipzig also have the best home record in the top flight so far this term,winning 19 points on their own turf.

Rose added that his side are “extremely motivated” as they get set to face the record champions, who are themselves riding the wave of an upsurge in fortunes under the guide of former Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann. Bayern won their last six Bundesliga games in a row – a feat no other team has managed this term – to rise to the top of the pile before the winter break. What’s more, the Bavarian giants are clearly kings of this particular fixture, the defending Bundesliga champions having lost just once in 11 games (winning seven) against Leipzig in Germany’s top tier.

Dayot Upamecano and Jude Bellingham in action during Borussia Dortmund’s match against FC Bayern Munich at Signal Iduna Park on 8 October 2022.

“We’ll go there full of confidence and don’t just want to make a statement with this pivotal game but also move away from Leipzig in the table,” Bayern’s talismanic attacker Thomas Müller commented, the 33-year-old adding, “We’re confident.”

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Although Leipzig will be without star  Christopher Nkunku, who continues his
recovery from a knee ligament tear, Friday’s hosts do have their powerful forward Timo Werner available again in up front. Bayern, meanwhile, will be able to fill the Sadio Mane injury void with some impressive attacking options of their own. Teen sensation and Germany international Jamal Musiala, for example, will need to be closely watched by Bayern’s opponents, with the 19-year-old already weighing in with an incredible nine goals and six assists in the Bundesliga so far this campaign.

Aside from Friday’s fantastic matchup, there are plenty of other fascinating games as the Bundesliga gets back up and running this weekend. SC Freiburg – second in the standings and enjoying their best season ever – visit a VfL Wolfsburg side who are unbeaten in eight and who have won their last four games in a row.