RB Leipzig vs Eintracht Frankfurt
After the briefest winter hiatus, the record-breaking Bundesliga is about to be back with a bang.
Nowhere will that be more evident than in the game of the weekend in the German top-flight this Saturday afternoon, as RB Leipzig host Eintracht Frankfurt.
Although only two places separate the sides, there are actually a total of nine points between them.
However, one team has been weakened and the other strengthened in the past week.
Talking Points
Leipzig have let striker Timo Werner, who has netted twice in eight Bundesliga appearances this season and is under contract with the club until 2026, as he moved to Spurs on loan for the second half of the campaign.
By contrast, Frankfurt have gone to the Premier League to recruit and strengthen their ranks.
Frontman striker Sasa Kalajdzic has joined on loan from Wolves until the end of the campaign.
The Midlands club signed the Austria international for £15 million from Stuttgart in August 2022 but suffered a serious knee injury on his debut.
Another man looking to revive his career has also arrived in the shape of Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.
There is an option for the 26 year-old to turn the transfer into a permanent deal if he impresses.
All that means a slightly new look to both sides, potentially, starting this Saturday.
There’s been highs and lows for both so far.
They began the campaign with an impressive showing as they saw off Bayern Munich 3-0 in the German Super Cup.
Yet after key departures, it was no surprise that periods of inconsistency have followed and they are nine points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen almost halfway through the 34-match campaign.
Summer signings Xavi Simons and Loïs Openda have been the real stars with 15 goals and 11 assists between them, while Dani Olmo is close to a return following a shoulder injury which has kept him out for the last two months.
Their hopes of landing a third straight DFB Cup were ended by Wolfsburg.
By contrast, Eintracht are sixth after 16 games, nine points behind fourth-placed Leipzig.
The Eagles are ticking along nicely under Dino Toppmöller, and this marks a first return to the Red Bull Arena for the man who worked as Julian Nagelsmann’s assistant at the club Leipzig during the 2020/21 season.
A 5-1 win over Bayern last month was a high point, but their away form has to improve, as does a defence which has conceded in 33 of the last 35 away league matches.
They have lost their last three away games without scoring.
Toppmöller must have to deal with a number of key absences at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Three crucial players in Omar Marmoush (seven-goal top scorer), Fares Chaibi (most assists), and Ellyes Skhiri (midfield anchor) are on international duty so they won’t be involved, meaning their potential new arrivals could even start.
There are often plenty of Bundesliga 2024 highlights when these two meet. Who do you think will claim the first bragging rights of 2024?
History
Of their 14 Bundesliga clashes, the record is pretty close with four Leipzig triumphs, three Frankfurt successes and seven draws.
They won one apiece in their games last season.
Leipzig ran out 2-1 winners in this fixture, courtesy of first half goals from Werner and Emil Forsberg before Djibril Sow reduced the arrears in the second period.
Frankfurt had thrashed Leipzig 4-0 at home five months earlier as Daichi Kamada, Sebastian Rode, Tuta, and Rafael Borré (penalty) all found the net without reply.
Of course, it was Leipzig who had the last laugh in June as they retained the German Cup at Frankfurt’s expense.
Goals in the last 20 minutes from Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai, who have both now departed for the Premier League, clinched the silverware.
Betting Tip
Leipzig are favourites by quite a distance with the SBOTOP Bundesliga 2024 betting odds, priced 1X2 @ 1.41, First Half 1X2 @ 1.99, Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.21, and First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 1.99.
That is a big difference from Frankfurt who are on offer 1X2 @ 5.90, First Half 1X2 @ 4.80, Asian Handicap + 1.00 @ 2.20, and First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.33.
A re-run of the league meeting last term, Correct Score 2-1, is available @ 7.60.
Featured goal options include Over 2.25 @ 2.12, Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.89, 2-3 @ 2.11, and 4-6 @ 2.56.
My tip is for honours even with a 1X2 Draw @ 4.45.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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