"RB Leipzig laboured against a three-man defence when they lost at Ingolstadt in December, and the loss of playmaker Emil Forsberg to suspension could be a critical blow."
Lay RB Leipzig at 1.67
RB Leipzig v Eintracht Frankfurt
Saturday 21 January, 17:30
Live on BT Sport
Wiping their bleary eyes and squinting at the sunlight, the Bundesliga clubs have come out of hibernation after their long winter break. Unsurprisingly, it's Bayern Munich who are once again the strongest animal in the pack, three points clear of RB Leipzig. Bayern had their primacy challenged by the upstarts from the East of Germany, but they brutally beat them 3-0 at the Allianz Arena just before Christmas, underlining their alpha status.
Bayern are trading at 1.08 to win the title, and it's hard to see Leipzig overhauling them, especially as they have lost key playmaker Emil Forsberg to suspension. I don't expect Die Roten Bullen to totally collapse over the next few weeks, but the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Saturday's opponents Eintracht Frankfurt will push them hard for the runners-up spot.
Leipzig have been virtually flawless at home in the Bundesliga, dropping just two points at the Red Bull Arena, and winning their last five matches there. However, Ralph Hasenhuttl's men lost at Ingolstadt and Bayern before the winter break, and it'll be fascinating to see how they cope without Forsberg. The Swedish international has been one of the Bundesliga's best players this term, providing five goals and eight assists.
Hasenhuttl has described Eintracht Frankfurt as solid opponents, and he's not wrong. His opposite number Niko Kovac has done a terrific job with the Eagles, taking a club that nearly went down last season, and transforming it into a gritty outfit that has the second-best defence in the league.
Although the visitors are likely to be without midfielders Marco Fabian and Szabolcs Huszti because of injury, all of their key defenders are available. It was noticeable when Leipzig lost 1-0 at Ingolstadt that they struggled to find space against a three-man defence, and that's exactly what they'll face on Saturday evening.
In what I see as quite an even contest, I think the hosts are too short at 1.67.
Recommended Bet
Lay RB Leipzig at 1.67
Saturday 21 January, 17:30
Live on BT Sport
Wiping their bleary eyes and squinting at the sunlight, the Bundesliga clubs have come out of hibernation after their long winter break. Unsurprisingly, it's Bayern Munich who are once again the strongest animal in the pack, three points clear of RB Leipzig. Bayern had their primacy challenged by the upstarts from the East of Germany, but they brutally beat them 3-0 at the Allianz Arena just before Christmas, underlining their alpha status.
Bayern are trading at 1.08 to win the title, and it's hard to see Leipzig overhauling them, especially as they have lost key playmaker Emil Forsberg to suspension. I don't expect Die Roten Bullen to totally collapse over the next few weeks, but the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Saturday's opponents Eintracht Frankfurt will push them hard for the runners-up spot.
Leipzig have been virtually flawless at home in the Bundesliga, dropping just two points at the Red Bull Arena, and winning their last five matches there. However, Ralph Hasenhuttl's men lost at Ingolstadt and Bayern before the winter break, and it'll be fascinating to see how they cope without Forsberg. The Swedish international has been one of the Bundesliga's best players this term, providing five goals and eight assists.
Hasenhuttl has described Eintracht Frankfurt as solid opponents, and he's not wrong. His opposite number Niko Kovac has done a terrific job with the Eagles, taking a club that nearly went down last season, and transforming it into a gritty outfit that has the second-best defence in the league.
Although the visitors are likely to be without midfielders Marco Fabian and Szabolcs Huszti because of injury, all of their key defenders are available. It was noticeable when Leipzig lost 1-0 at Ingolstadt that they struggled to find space against a three-man defence, and that's exactly what they'll face on Saturday evening.
In what I see as quite an even contest, I think the hosts are too short at 1.67.
Recommended Bet
Lay RB Leipzig at 1.67
Werder Bremen v Borussia Dortmund
Saturday January 20, 14:30
Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel has recently admitted that the summer loss of key players Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan knocked him sideways, and took a while to get over. In an era of spin, it was a hearteningly frank admission.
BVB had to respond to those departures by bringing in reinforcements, and some of them understandably took time to settle down. A raft of injury problems has further slowed Dortmund's progress, and they find themselves 12 points behind the leaders Bayern. Realistically, a top-four spot and progress in the Champions League and German Cup is the target, with a title bid seemingly a distant dream.
Werder Bremen are just concerned with staying up, but a five-match unbeaten run before Christmas did their chances no harm. Coach Alexander Nouri has made the step up from the Under-23 side, and he is growing into the role. The return from injury of summer signing Max Kruse has made a big difference, and the pace and trickery of Serge Gnabry keeps defences on their heels.
Before Christmas this column successfully layed Dortmund at Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Koln, and their away form is patchy. BVB have won just twice on the road in the league, and the absence of top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (on AFCON duty with Gabon) does them few favours. It is therefore all the more inexplicable that Die Schwarzgelben have just flogged backup striker Adrian Ramos to Chinese club Chongqing Lifan.
There are problems at the other end too. Sven Bender is injured (again), while Marc Bartra was worryingly awful against Augsburg just before Christmas. There is also talk of an injury to Greek centre-back Sokratis, which would be a massive blow.
Bremen are in good form, while Dortmund have some key absentees, and just aren't playing very well away from home. I'm laying the visitors.
Recommended Bet
Lay Borussia Dortmund at 1.56
Augsburg v Hoffenheim
Saturday January 20, 14:30
Now that Real Madrid have finally lost a league game in Spain, Hoffenheim stand proudly as the last side in Europe's top five leagues with an unbeaten league record. Yes, they have drawn ten of their 16 games, but it's still a fine achievement.
Although Hoffe now know they will lose key players Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy to Bayern in the summer, they at least have them available for the rest of this campaign, and they are sitting pretty in fifth spot at present.
Augsburg had a "new coach bounce" before the winter break, as Manuel Baum was promoted from within to replace Dirk Schuster, who was brutally jettisoned after failing to deliver the style of play that sporting director Stefan Reuter demanded. Under Baum, FCA beat Borussia Monchengladbach and drew at Borussia Dortmund, so can they shock Hoffenheim?
It's possible, but I don't think it's likely. Hoffe won all of their mid-season friendlies, and coaching wunderkind Julian Nagelsmann says his squad is full of confidence. The potential loss of wing-backs Jeremy Toljan and Pavel Kaderabek to injury is a blow, but there is adequate cover.
Augsburg are getting better but still have injury issues, so I'm happy to back the unbeaten visitors.
Recommended Bet
Back Hoffenheim Draw No Bet at 1.92a
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