RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen
Two of this season’s title challengers are going head-to-head as RB Leipzig host Bayer Leverkusen this weekend.
Both of these high-profile squads are within the top three of the Bundesliga standings. And with the gap between them and Bayern Munich getting wider, a win is in order for these two to catch up.
Certainly, they are desperate to get back on their feet given their stumbling losses in the last time out, as it tipped the scales to the Bavarian giants’ favour.
So they will be in for a mouthwatering showdown that is sure to give football fans entertaining Bundesliga 2021 highlights.
And while the SBOTOP betting odds slightly favour the home side for this contest, I am pretty sure that their visitors will aim to prove doubters wrong.
RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen have shared the spoils in their last few encounters, but will the same result occur this Sunday night?
Talking Points
RB Leipzig plan to retool
As mentioned before, RB Leipzig have some ways to go if ever they’d want to be crowned as a championship team.
They are a roster filled with good foundational pieces, so it’s no secret that some of their players have caught the attention of the bigger teams out there.
One of their cornerstones in Dayot Upamecano has been at the centre of numerous transfer rumours, but Julian Nagelsmann would prefer keeping him or sell him at the right price.
RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann coaching from the touchline
Meanwhile, their forwards have yet to warrant the same attention especially since they have been inconsistent so far this season.
Marcel Sabitzer and Yussuf Poulsen are trying to fill in the void left by Timo Werner, but they have only generated eight goals and five assists as of the moment.
Recognising the need to bolster their forward depth, several reports have surfaced regarding RB Leipzig’s willingness to consider looking at reinforcements elsewhere.
According to German news outlet Bild, the Red Bulls are keen on bringing over either Divock Origi or Kelechi Iheanacho from the Premier League.
Origi and Iheanacho have fallen out of favour from Liverpool and Leicester City respectively and they are considered as reclamation projects for Leipzig.
Another option that they have is Kasper Dolberg from Nice. The young forward has recorded three goals in 11 Ligue 1 appearances and he is just 23 years old.
Julian Nagelsmann has always stressed the need of scoring goals by the committee and perhaps adding more firepower would help their bid for this season’s title.
Bayer Leverkusen have a trump card in Wirtz
January hasn’t been kind to Bayer Leverkusen in terms of goals, but they have the personnel to provide such when needed.
Peter Bosz’s side have failed to score in two of their last three. And coincidentally, both of them ended in tough losses.
They did, however, have an encouraging performance versus Borussia Dortmund and they are optimistic that they’ll regain such form this weekend.
While the trio of Lucas Alario, Leon Bailey, and Moussa Diaby are to be feared by opposing defences, the x-factor for Die Werkself will be Florian Wirtz.
The 17-year-old wunderkind has shown great poise and ball control in the midfield, and he is just scratching the surface.
He has already done significant damage against the opposition and he will look to do the same against the hard-charging Red Bulls.
History
The history between RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen is relatively young since the former has only stayed in the German top-flight for only half a decade so far.
In their nine games against each other, RB Leipzig have made the most out of this budding rivalry with four wins, whereas Bayer Leverkusen only had one win along with four draws.
Both of these teams have notched three straight 1-1 draws for the past year. Prior to that, Die Roten Bullen have won two straight while Die Werkself’s only victory came last April 2018.
Betting Tip
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RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen | RB Leipzig Asian handicap -0.25 @ 1.68 |
| January 31, 01:30 (GMT+8) |
The updated Bundesliga 2021 odds point to a tight contest to which RB Leipzig will eventually win.
The hosts are priced at 1.90 to win, while Die Werkself aren’t far behind at 3.95 and a draw is at 3.45 in the 1×2 market.
RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen is sure to provide fireworks and either team can come away with a victory.
However, given the Red Bulls’ composure in tight affairs, I would have to give the slight edge for the home side to come out with the three points.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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The post Bundesliga: Leipzig and Leverkusen Figure in an Explosive Sunday Affair appeared first on SBOTOP.
