RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach

One of the most eye-catching Bundesliga fixtures this weekend takes place at the Red Bull Arena as RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach face each other.

Leipzig generated a 1.24 xG but still succumbed to a 1-0 home loss to Real Madrid in midweek Champions League action. With less time to prepare for this clash than their opposition, ‘Die Roten Bullen’ face a stern test as they bid to defy a sub-par Bundesliga form in 2024 (W1, D1, L3). Stranded three points adrift of fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund, Marco Rose’s men have no margin for error at the Red Bull Arena, where they’ve lost twice in their last three league outings (W1). However, they’ve been nothing short of dominant in this fixture, going unbeaten in all seven top-flight H2Hs they’ve hosted (W4, D3), including three victories on the trot in the lead-up to this clash. Nothing less significant is the fact Leipzig scored 3+ goals on all three occasions.

Meanwhile, a scoreless draw against basement boys Darmstadt last time out perhaps best illustrates Borussia Monchengladbach’s abysmal start to the new calendar year. Despite kicking 2024 off with a 3-1 home triumph against Stuttgart, Gerardo Seoane’s men have since alternated between drawing (2) and losing (2) across their four Bundesliga outings, slipping to 13th in the table, only six points clear of the bottom three. Gladbach’s porous backline has emerged as a substantial source of concern for the Swiss manager after his side conceded an embarrassing 3+ goals per game on five of their last seven top-flight travels (D2, L5). Particularly vulnerable in the first half, they’ve capitulated 13 times before halftime, with only three sides conceding more first-half away goals than them.