Bayern Munich hosts RB Leipzig as a swirl of discussion regarding their boss Thomas Tuchel and his pending departure hangs over their heads. 3 straight defeats have prompted the decision for both sides to part ways, but the manager will continue to coach until the end of his contract in June. Can the club keep afloat amidst inner turmoil? Continue reading for an expert Bayern vs RB Leipzig prediction and explore stats and tips for Bayern Munich odds.
- FC Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig, 1. Bundesliga
- February 24, 2024
- 12:30 PM EST
- Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
- ESPN+
Bayern vs RB Leipzig Prediction: Who do Sportsbooks Favor?
Bayern is just a (-140) odds-on favorite despite their dominant status in the Bundesliga, sitting in the number two spot. RB Leipzig is seen as a competent opponent to threaten Bayern at Allianz Arena, sporting a generous (+350) price tag. A line of (+340) befits the outcome of a draw, available at highly-rated online sportsbook Bovada.
To better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market, see our soccer betting tips.
RB Leipzig Recent Form and Team News
RB Leipzig are fresh off the heels of a 2-0 home win over Monchengladbach last Saturday. A close defeat to Real Madrid in their Champions League knockout tie preceded the victory. Having endured a disappointing start to 2024 with three consecutive Bundesliga defeats, Leipzig has now turned the tide. They are back in the running for Champions League qualification, having secured seven points out of a possible nine this month.
RB Leipzig is one of the most hated teams in Germany, if not the world. While their staunch supporters may not agree, the club is widely viewed as an artificial or “plastic” representation of soccer, as opposed to its traditional roots. Its ties with Red Bull do not conform to the ideals of the Bundesliga, whose rules to prevent such corporatism were circumvented by Leipzig’s owners through disingenuous means. The club was founded in 2009, with a short history that pales in comparison to many other clubs in the top flight of Germany’s soccer leagues.
Bayern Recent News and Pending Tuchel Departure
Bayern supporters are preparing themselves for an ugly truth: The Bavarians may not win a trophy in this campaign. Their shock loss early on in the DfB Pokal, while at first disappointing but not concerning, can now be revisited as a possible early symptom of dysfunction. Bayern Munich is a club that expects results consistently, and losing the Bundesliga title in any season can be seen as a catastrophic failure.
Supporters should be reassured that Bayer Leverkusen are a club more than deserving of such a victory. Additionally, Bayern’s point accumulation to date is close to if not on pace with many past Bundesliga-winning seasons. That being said, someone has to be blamed for their shortcomings, and typically the manager is the first to have a finger pointed at.
Tuchel was described as calm and relaxed on the flight home from the team’s 3-2 loss to Bochum, with the context being he had finally come to terms with his future exit. One passenger on the plane revealed, under the condition of anonymity to preserve relationships, "He knew it was over. The pressure was off."
Bayern Munich Injury Updates
This hearsay may not appear to be the most critical of information on the surface. However, a pressure-free Tuchel may be more inclined to take risks and adjust his tactics. This is because players will no longer take exception to his decisions, as they both know their time together is coming to an end soon. Perhaps we will see Tuchel put his ingenious planning to good use now. After all, he is still described by many pundits as a tactical innovator in modern football and one of the best coaches in the world.
Bayern Munich faces a right-back selection challenge with Sacha Boey and Noussair Mazraoui both nursing hamstring injuries. In addition, Bayern will be without Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Konrad Laimer, Tarek Buchmann, Bouna Sarr, and Noel Aseko, all representing more long-term injuries. Furthermore, Dayot Upamecano is suspended following a red card in the previous match against Bochum.
Alphonso Davies, dealing with a knee problem, remains uncertain for Saturday, potentially leaving Guerriero to continue at left-back. Leroy Sane aims to reclaim a spot in the starting lineup, potentially displacing Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Bayern vs RB Leipzig Prediction and Free Betting Pick
Not since 1991 under Soren Lerby have Bayern suffered four straight defeats in all tournaments. I don’t expect this statistic to renew on Saturday. While on a losing skid and amidst concerns over the leadership of their boss Tuchel, Bayern is a better club than these odds indicate.
I think Bayern wins this match at a higher clip than the 58% implied, so while it makes me nervous, I have to take them here. Bayern kicked a staggering 27 shots through Bochum’s defenses, including 10 that threatened the keeper. They doubled Bochum’s expected goals tally and were objectively unfortunate to lose that match. A lone penalty was the separator in their European competition with Lazio, and their away loss to Leverkusen is certainly forgivable given the incredible season that club is having.
Ride Bayern Munich to shake off their bad run of form and play with a sense of freedom that they haven’t been able to have all year. However, be conservative with just a half unit. Getting in front of these comebacks can be tricky.
Odds are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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