Prediction and odds for the game: RB Leipzig (7/5) vs Dortmund (15/8)
We are backing the draw at odds of 5/2
When: Saturday, 9th January 2021, Kick-off 17:30
Where: The Red Bull Arena
On Saturday evening, RB Leipzig face a test of their Bundesliga title credentials as the Die Roten Bullen host Dortmund.
RB Leipzig
Julian Nagelsmann’s team are currently second place in the Bundesliga table, two points behind dominant force Bayern Munich in the race for the German title.
An undefeated run of eight league games, including five wins has kept the home side in with a chance to overthrow Bayern this season. Leipzig’s recent defensive form has been the key to their good results, as they have kept clean sheets in five consecutive outings in all competitions.
Leipzig have been strong at the Red Bull Arena since their promotion to the Bundesliga. Die Roten Bullen head into this clash on the back of six victories and a draw from their previous seven home games in the German top-flight.
One negative for the home team is that they could have several players absent through injury, with new signing Dominik Szoboszlai joining Benjamin Henrichs and Konrad Laimer in being sidelined by injury. Hee-Chan Hwang, Marcel Halstenberg, Nordi Mukiele, Ibrahima Konate, Christopher Nkunku and Lukas Klosterman are also fitness doubts.
Dortmund
BVB need to find some inconsistency after a poor start to the campaign saw off boss Lucien Favre. Interim head coach Edin Terzic has endured a mixed start to his career on the visitor’s bench, winning two and losing one of their last three matches. The recent results have left the visitors six points behind Rb Leipzig in the table.
In their last Bundesliga outing, Dortmund recorded a 2-0 win against Stuttgart. It was a notable victory, as England starlet Jadon Sancho scored his first goal in the German top-flight in 12 appearances. The youngster will be hoping to add to that tally in the near future after enduring a difficult campaign.
Despite their recent poor results in the Bundesliga, BVB have won ten of their last 13 matches on their travels in the German top-flight. Although Dortmund have not always been prolific on the road of late, BVB have scored in 17 of their previous 18 Bundesliga matches.
Dortmund look set to welcome star striker Erling Haaland back after injury. However, Terzic’s team will be without Jude Bellingham, Thorgan Hazard and Marcel Schmelzer due injury. Young forward Youssoufa Moukoko is still a slight injury doubt but should feature.
Conclusion
RB Leipzig are certainly in the better form of the two teams. However, the return from injury of Erling Haaland for the visitors could be a major factor. The Norwegian’s return and injury doubts for the home side are enough for us to predict that this clash will finish al-square. The other bet we are recommending is over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/11.
Verdict: We are backing the draw at odds of 5/2 and/or over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top in this big Bundesliga clash?
