The Bundesliga returns on Friday as last season’s champions Bayern Munich kick things off by welcoming RB Leipzig. It’s a special match for Leipzig too, as it’s the first time they’ve played in the opening game of a Bundesliga season.
Bayern had a busy summer, travelling to the USA for the Club World Cup, although they were knocked out in the quarter-finals. Despite that, things have gone fairly well under manager Vincent Kompany. He won the Bundesliga in his first season and lifted the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup last weekend after a 2-1 win against Stuttgart. Now, their focus turns back to defending their league title. History is on their side, as no defending champions have lost on the first day of the Bundesliga season since 2001.
Leipzig didn’t have the best season last time around, finishing seventh, their worst ever Bundesliga result. That means no European football this year, which could actually help them focus on improving in the league. The last time they had no European commitments, they finished second. While many expect them to lose this opener, it’s worth noting that they beat defending champions Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 in their first away game last season.
Looking at past meetings, Bayern have won more than half of the 22 matches played between the two teams. However, recent encounters have been much closer with Bayern have only won two of the last seven.
Bayern have a strong record on opening day and tend to score freely. They’ve netted two or more goals in each of their last eight league games. They’ve also never lost an official Bundesliga season opener. On the other hand, Leipzig have conceded at least twice after half-time in four of their last six league games and failed to score in six of their last seven away matches.
For Bayern, Luis Díaz made a great impression in the Supercup by scoring the winner, which continued a run of scoring the second goal in each of his last three games. Leipzig’s new signing Yan Diomandé also got on the scoresheet in their recent 4-2 cup win and has scored all three of his senior goals before half-time.
Bayern will be without Jamal Musiala for some time, while Leipzig are nearly at full strength.
Given Bayern’s strong form on opening day and their goal-scoring ability, many expect them to win this one comfortably.
