Leipzig to ensure Bayern don't fly away at the top
The Friday night Bundesliga fixture sees a high profile match between RB Leipzig in third and Bayern Munich in the lead. There is a six-point gap between the two clubs before kick-off, though the visitors were in red hot form before the winter break, having won their last six with a goal difference of +19. Read our preview here:
A Fors for good
Marco Rose's side were also in pretty decent nick before the World Cup and annual stoppage of play for December and much of January in Germany, having not tasted defeat since September, the same month the current head coach took charge. Unusually, both teams will be without their number one goalkeeper, with Janis Blaswich standing in for Péter Gulácsi for the hosts. Elsewhere, Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku is out for several weeks with a knew injury, but David Raum is at least back in full training. Emil Forsberg hasn't been the main producer for his club side for sometime, but the opposition would do well not to take him lightly. André Silva is also struggling up top on his own away from the bright lights of the UEFA Champions League.
Ulreich on the night
Manuel Neuer's season-ending injury sustained whilst skiing after Die Mannschaft's second early World Cup exit in a row forced Julian Nagelsmann and the recruitment team to find a worthy replacement in the January transfer window. FC Hollywood have turned to veteran Swiss stopper Yann Sommer, opting to pay a handsome fee to have the 34 year old now and not in the summer when his Borussia Mönchengladbach contract was set to expire. The successful end to negotiations will come too late for this crucial game, and it could prove to be Sven Ulreich's final appearance for his current side in his second spell in Bavaria. Sadio Mané also remains out, so Eric Choupo-Moting will keep his place at the spearhead of the attack. Daley Blind might make his debut on the left side of defence at some stage in proceedings, too.
Betting tip
Though not firing on all cylinders, RB Leipzig have it in themselves to at least halt Bayern Munich's relentless charge towards yet another Bundesliga crown temporarily. betway have odds of 4.50 for a draw with both teams scoring.
