The game between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund on Friday, the two teams most likely to steal Bayern Munich's title, arrives at a crucial juncture.
Dortmund and RB Leipzig continue to be the two teams with the best chance of preventing Bayern from winning an 11th consecutive championship, notwithstanding Union Berlin's incredible run and the valiant efforts of Eintracht Frankfurt and Freiburg this year.
Considering that Leipzig got a promotion for the 2016–17 campaign, the two consistently competed for second place, with Dortmund coming in second three times, Leipzig coming in second twice, and Schalke coming in first once, in 2017–18.
During the winter break, Dortmund's season appeared to be over after a string of losses. He left them nine points behind Bayern. But, a run of seven straight league wins, together with victories in the Champions League and German Cup, have resurrected their campaign.
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Due to Bayern's problems in 2023—three victories in seven league games—Borussia Dortmund has bridged the gap and is now tied for first place with the Bavarians.
Because of the success of Dortmund and Union and Bayern's problems, Leipzig has been able to plan their title challenge away from the spotlight quietly.
When former Dortmund manager Marco Rose took over in early September, Leipzig had accrued 37 points in 17 games, more than any other Bundesliga team.
Rose's time at Leipzig began with a commanding 3-0 home victory over his previous team, which was Dortmund's heaviest defeat in all competitions this year.
With 12 games left in the season, RB is four points behind Bayern and Dortmund in fourth place.
Leipzig has defeated Dortmund in their last three meetings, including a 4-1 road thumping in 2021–22.
Before it, Dortmund had won six straight matches against Leipzig, including the 2020–21 German Cup final, all by the same score of 4–1.
Edin Terzic, the new manager of Dortmund after Rose was let go last summer, vowed on Saturday that his team would stay focused in their quest for a record-tying eighth-straight league victory.
For the fight, both teams will be nearly at full strength.
In addition to Josko Gvardiol and Emil Forsberg, who skipped a training session this week, Leipzig can count on top scorer Christopher Nkunku on Friday despite the long-term absence of Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo.
Julian Ryerson, a wingback who missed the victory over Hoffenheim due to an eye issue, will be back for Dortmund, who are without Karim Adeyemi but will benefit from his presence.
Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund) is one to keep an eye on.
Attacking midfielder Julian Brandt, who has scored or provided an assist in seven of his previous eight league games for Borussia Dortmund, has been on a roll lately.
Brandt has solidified himself as one of the first names named in the starting Eleven recently, despite competition from Dortmund's plethora of attacking skills.
Brandt won the Bundesliga Player of the Month honour in February because of his outstanding play.
Brandt scored the game-winning goal with the centre of his back against Hoffenheim on Saturday, demonstrating how his form also fosters a little good fortune.
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Borussia Dortmund has won the league by a 1-0 margin five times this season, a club record, with 12 games remaining.
The 2-1 victory at Bremen on November 23, 2019, was Schalke's last away victory in the Bundesliga. Schalke, who has yet to win in five games, will go to Bochum on Saturday.
5/6 - Under manager Thomas Letsch, Bochum has lost just one of its six home league games and is three points ahead of Schalke.
