The 2025/26 Bundesliga season gets underway this weekend with defending champions Bayern Munich looking to get off to an excellent start as they welcome RB Leipzig to the Allianz Arena.
Bayern managed to reclaim the German title last season in comfortable fashion after Bayer Leverkusen had knocked them off their perch in the 2023/24 campaign.
They face an RB Leipzig side that have again made big money sales this summer, with Benjamin Sesko among those to depart.
The Sporting News takes you through a preview and a prediction of this Bundesliga opener as the reigning champions aim to start their title defence in style.
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Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig, betting tips and odds
Bayern have some key injury issues, and their squad is very thin, but at the start of the season, that shouldn’t stop them earning a routine win.
It could end up being a game decided in the first half, and Bayern Munich are priced at 1.22 with Dafabet, while the draw is at 6.50 and Leipzig are underdogs at 9.00.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 RB Leipzig
- Bayern Munich to beat RB Leipzig is viewed as a 81.8% probability by Dafabet.
- Learn more about reading odds, different types of bets and the best online betting sites through our how to bet on football guide
Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig expected lineups
Here's how we think these two sides will line up in Munich.
Bayern Munich lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
- Neuer (GK) — Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Guerreiro — Kimmich, Goretzka — Olise, Gnabry, Luis Diaz — Kane
Injured: Ito, Laimer (doubt), Davies, Pavlovic, Wanner (doubt), Musiala
Suspended: None
RB Leipzig lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
- Vandevoordt (GK) — Baku, Orban, Lukeba, Raum — Schlager, Seiwald — Diomande, Simons, Nusa — Openda
Injured: Henrichs, Klostermann (doubt), Haidara (doubt), Maksimovic (doubt), Gomis (doubt)
Suspended: None
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Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig latest odds, correct score betting
Our 3-1 prediction is at good odds with Dafabet, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at for this one. Here's a look at some of the most likely outcomes according to the bookmakers.
Result | Odds* |
Bayern Munich 2-0 | 8.50 |
Bayern Munich 2-1 | 9.00 |
Bayern Munich 3-1 | 9.00 |
Bayern Munich 3-0 | 9.50 |
Bayern Munich 1-0 | 12.00 |
*Odds correct at time of publish.
Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig team news
- Bayern Munich have quite a few issues to deal with for this one and will be without Jamal Musiala for the long term following his horror injury at the Club World Cup, and that number 10 role is up for grabs following the departure of Thomas Muller.
- Leipzig have seen the sale of Sesko and Xavi Simons remains the subject of Chelsea interest, but their 4-2-3-1 set-up does appear a little more cohesive, with Lois Openda the main man up-front.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Saturday, August 23
- Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
- Time: 12:00 a.m. IST
- TV/Stream: Sony LIV