Germany Bundesliga - Match Day 16 (2)

The Bundesliga offers up two days worth of mid-week fixtures, and with the leagues annual winter break on the horizon, clubs are extremely motivated to grab as many positive results before they pause play until late January.

Borussia Dortmund started the match day by dropping points, the "BVB" were shocked by bottom of the table side Fortuna Dusseldorf during their travels, threatening their domestic title hopes as 6 time defending Bundesliga champs Bayern Munich have been given the opportunity to close the gap to 6 points by the end of Round 16.

Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig 
Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
12-19-2018 - 2:30 pm ET - FS1 

The headliner match on Wednesday night takes place in Bavarian country, when defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich welcome RB Leipzig to the Allianz arena, for a match-up of the number 3 and 4 teams in Germany's top flight league. 

Bayern Munich seem to be trending in a positive direction, after a unusual slow start too the new campaign, the "FCB" have since won 3 straight domestic matches, placing the German giants in 3rd place and 9 points behind eternal rivals Dortmund.

Niko Kovač has found his time in Munich incredibly challenging. The Croatian head-man was brought in to help keep the Bavarian's monopoly on the league in tact, but after tallying a record of 9-3-3, the former Bayern midfielder has come under intense pressure to steer the ship straight, while still collecting trophies along the way. 

Key Player

Robert Lewandowski is setting Europe on fire, after a sluggish start the Polish striker has found the back of the net 11 times in the past 10 outings, giving him 26 total goals in all competitions. Lewandowski should once again be another top option to hit the mark in this spot, Leipzig have struggled during their travels as of late, losing 4 straight matches in all competitions, while conceding 7 goals over that torrid spell of play, expect Bayern's center forward to get plenty of quality looks in front of goal.

Player To Watch

Serge Nnarby continues to find first team minutes on a regular basis, the former Hoffenheim man was brought in to provide the Bavarian's with an explosive presence down the wings, now with the impending departure of club legend Arjen Robben, Nnarby seems set to to anchor his attacking midfield position for many years to come. The young German has rewarded Kovač for his confidence within the squad, scoring 3 goals in his last 4 matches in all competitions, his all around ball skills and ability to get his own shot off makes him a clear danger to get on the final score-line against this Red Bull's side.

Player Prop 

Serge Nnarby - Anytime Goal Scorer  +180 / 2.8

The home side simply roll out a world class unit in each match they encounter, it is often unfair how much class they offer throughout their match day squad. Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman and Leon Goretzka are all set to offer support from their midfield positions, while the Bavarian's use a lethal full-back connection of Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba too push down the flanks, and flood the attacking half of the pitch. 

Bayern were given a gift from Fortuna Dusseldorf on Tuesday night, the newly promoted side handed Borussia Dortmund their first loss of the season, allowing the defending champs an opportunity to close a full 3 points in the standings, and slowly chop away at the BVB's 9 point lead in the Bundesliga table.

RB Leipzig rebounded nicely on Sunday after a disastrous Europa League ousting. The Red Bulls were booted from European title considerations last Thursday night after going off as 9/1 favorites, the home side were only able to produce 1 goal despite producing 24 shots and 9 on target against a scrappy Rosenborg side, who had nothing more to play for than pride against the German upstarts. 

Ralf Rangnick is attempting to make the best out of this season. The veteran manager has been placed in a precarious position, now in his second stint with the club, he is currently on a one year caretaker role, understanding that current Hoffenheim wonder-boy Julian Nagelsmann is scheduled to take over the managerial responsibilities at the beginning of the 2019-2020 season.

Red Bull Threats

Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen get the honors of leading the visitors front-line, strategically placed within a 3-4-1-2 formation, the duo have produced 18 goals and 4 assists during the first quarter of the Bundesliga campaign. Werner generally grabs all the headlines as the teams most proficient striker over the past two seasons, the German international has placed fear in many of the back-lines across the countries landscape, using his explosive pace and rare finishing abilities he drawn the attention of many of the biggest clubs in world football. 

Team Injuries

The Red Bulls were dealt a major blow when Emil Forsberg went down in October, originally diagnosed as short term injury, the Swedish play-maker has been unable to make his return too the starting eleven. Forsberg provided Leipzig with a true number ten, his all around skills will be sorely missed in this particular match-up, as he provided the visitors with a player who could hold up the ball in tight spaces, while springing the break into motion. 

Kevin Kampl has attempted to pick up the slack since Forsberg's departure, but the creative midfielder picked up a knock of his own, leaving his status in question as the opening whistle arrives, placing additional pressure on Bruma to step in and provide valuable first team minutes against the mighty Bavarians.

Leipzig continue to fight for Champions League considerations, currently holders of the 4th spot in the Bundesliga table, there is true incentive to grab a positive result with Eintracht Frankfurt clipping at their heels. 

Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig - Match Prediction 

This fairly new German rivalry has been a one sided affair too date. Bayern own a commanding 5-0-1 record, while scoring an average of 2.8 goals during successful run of play. The hosts have also failed to concede in 3 of those fixtures, making life extremely difficult on the Bundesliga new boys. 

Bayern Munich start the match-day with a large advantage, the FCB are nearly unbeatable while at the Allianz Arena, where they have failed to lose in 36 of their last 38 home matches. Die Bayern have also been in the mood to hit the back of the net as of late, scoring a minimum of 2 goals during their last 5 outings, while seeing the total surpass 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 12 matches on their own pitch. 

The hosts also enjoy large spells of possession while at the Allianz, averaging 67% of the time on the ball, we should see Bayern spending large amounts of time on Leipzig's side of the pitch.

The Bavarian's have truly exceled using their wingers to cause mismatch problems throughout the attacking half of the pitch, looking to create space and then provide service into Lewandowski is always a top option, while using through balls as a true weapon to slice defenses up on a routine basis.

RB Leipzig must be prepared to defend for much of their time in Bavarian country, knowing Bayern will stay on the front foot for long periods of time, Red Bulls must take advantage of the opportunities they get in front of goal, using their creative players to produce pure moments of magic, their sheer athleticism and pace must be used in a positive manner in order to keep this contest close.

I anticipate Bayern coming out extra motivated after witnessing Dortmund's unexpected result, the Bavarian giants are certain to push for the opening goal in a relentless manner. I am projecting a multi-goal performance from the home side, as they hit the back of the net in both halves, while eclipsing 2.5 goals in route to collecting all three points during match day 16.

Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig - Betting Tips 

Over 1.25  -125 / 1.8 - Total 1st Half Goals
Bayern Munich - To Win and Over 2.5 Goals  -120 / 1.83
Bayern Munich - Team Total Over 2.5  +110 / 2.1  -  Goals 
Bayern Munich - To Score in Both Halves  -  YES  -120 / 1.83 

Bundesliga - Bonus Match Tips

Werder Bremen vs Hoffenheim 
12-19-2018 - 2:30 pm ET - FS2 

Over 1.25  -125 / 1.8 - Total 1st Half Goals
Both Teams To Score in 1st Half  +210 / 3.1
Over 1.5  -135 / 1.74 - Total 2nd Half Goals 
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -150 / 1.67

Mainz vs Eintract Frankfurt 
12-19-2018 - 2:30 pm ET 

Over  1  -130 / 1.77 - Total 1st Half Goal
Over 1.5  -115 / 1.87 - Total 2nd Half Goals 
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5  +100 / 2.0  Goals 

Freiburg vs Hannover 
12-19-2018 - 2:30 pm ET

Over 2.5  -125 / 1.8 - Total Full Time - Goals 
Freiburg - Team Total Over 0.5  -125 / 1.8 - 1st Half Goal
Freiburg -  Team Total Over 1.5  -120 / 1.83 - Full Time Goals 

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