Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs RB Leipzig - Bundesliga
- Bayern eased into second round of DFB-Pokal on Tuesday night
- Thomas Tuchel has several injury concerns ahead of Saturday's trip to RB Leipzig
- Bayern sit atop the Bundesliga after unbeaten start
After avoiding DFB-Pokal humiliation in the week, Bayern Munich's attention now switches to a huge Bundesliga game as they travel to RB Leipzig on Saturday evening.
A rotated Bayern outfit didn't have to break a sweat at Preussen Munster on Tuesday night in their 4-0 victory which saw them progress into the second round of the Pokal. Their comfortable triumph ensured they remained unbeaten in all competitions to start the 2023/24 season.
However, a big test is on the horizon in the form of Marco Rose's Leipzig, who thumped Bayern in the Supercup just before the season got underway. Leipzig have also enjoyed a stellar start to the season and sit a point adrift of Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Here's how Thomas Tuchel could set his Bayern side up for their trip to the Red Bull Arena.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs RB Leipzig (4-2-3-1)
GK: Sven Ulreich - After Daniel Peretz was handed his first Bayern start in the week, Ulreich will return to the Bundesliga XI on Saturday while Manuel Neuer remains sidelined.
RB: Konrad Laimer - Tuchel has so far deployed the dependable Austrian at right-back and in the midfield pivot. Laimer's stability at full-back has been impressive at the start of 2023/24.
CB: Dayot Upamecano - The Frenchman is an injury doubt for Saturday's clash, but Tuchel is hopeful the Frenchman will be available.
CB: Kim Min-jae - Like Upamecano, Kim could miss the trip to Leipzig, but the South Korean simply has to play even if he isn't 100% fit. Bayern's alternatives cease to exist with Matthijs de Ligt picking up a knee injury.
LB: Alphonso Davies - Frans Kratzig might be one to watch moving forward, but Davies remains the undisputed first-choice left-back.
CM: Joshua Kimmich - Kimmich earned a rest in the week and there's no doubt he'll come back into the team on Saturday. He'll have to have his wits about him against an explosive Leipzig side.
CM: Leon Goretzka - Player of the Match in Munster, Goretzka has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign and is re-emerging as a pivotal figure for Bayern.
RM: Leroy Sane - Sane has arguably been Bayern's best performer at the start of the new season. If Bayern are to secure a big win on the road, the German international will play a huge role.
AM: Jamal Musiala - Thomas Muller's groin injury should see Musiala start in the number 10 role. Tuchel admitted he has to carefully manage Musiala's minutes given his recent fitness issues, but the German boss will deploy the superb playmaker from the outset in Saxony.
LM: Kingsley Coman - Tuchel does have a few options down the left flank despite Serge Gnabry's absence. However, he'll likely fight fire with fire and utilise the dynamic Coman opposite Sane.
ST: Harry Kane - The Englishman looks to have found his Son Heung-min in Bavaria in the form of Sane, with Kane bagging his maiden Bayern hat-trick against Bochum last weekend. The striker's a shoo-in after earning a rest in midweek.