The Bundesliga title race began as a four-horse race between Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Borussia Dortmund. For a moment, even FC Schalke 04 were in the discussion. Not even the most ardent of optimists, however, believed that this title drama could last into May. After the winter break, the top of the table has since narrowed; Schalke have dropped off, while Bayer Leverkusen have surged. Leipzig began the Rückrunde on top, but have since dropped eleven points. After this weekend’s disappointing draw, they now trail league leaders Bayern by five points. Under Hansi-Flick, Bayern are in amazing form. Their next three league fixtures will determine if Germany’s record champions will win the title for the eighth year running.
Bundesliga Title Race: Bayern Open Up a Five Point Lead Over RB Leipzig
Bayern Are in Their Best Form of the Season
Bayern have been on fire this year. Their Rückrunde began with a four-nill win at Hertha BSC, a five-nil win at home against Schalke, and then a three-one win away at Mainz 04. The league leaders then played out a dull, scoreless draw against RB Leipzig. Bayern responded brilliantly with four consecutive victories. Flick’s men have dropped just two points this year, an incredible turnaround from their horrid start under Niko Kovač. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig have dropped eleven points since January, showing that under Julian Nagelsmann’s leadership, the squad might not have quite the consistency just yet to compete with Bayern into May.
Dortmund are Surging
Dortmund on the other hand, have had just one hiccup in 2020, a four to three defeat at Bayer Leverkusen. Lucien Favre’s side have scored an astounding 28 goals in the eight Bundesliga fixtures played this Rückrunde. This weekend, Dortmund claimed all three points in Gladbach, leapfrogging Leipzig to claim second place. The Black and Yellows now trail Bayern by four points.
The Next Three Bundesliga Match Days Could Determine the Title
The next three league matchdays could very well determine if the Bundesliga title race remains competitive. Bayern take on Union Berlin at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. This is a tricky fixture for the record champions as Union look to shore up Bundesliga football for the coming campaign, while the atmosphere will be intense on Bayern’s first visit to the unique stadium. The next week, Eintracht Frankfurt visit the Allianz Arena. This is then followed up by Der Klassiker at Dortmund’s Signal-Iduna Park. If Bayern win all three, the title race, barring something truly dramatic, will be all but over.
This coming weekend sees Dortmund take on Schalke at home in the Revierderby. The club then visits high-flying Wolfsburg before the super match against Bayern. These are three difficult fixtures, and if Dortmund does not garner nine points, it would be hard to bet on them lifting the Meisterschalle in May. Leipzig’s next three fixtures are against lower table opposition, but after their poor run of form this year, it is improbable that they can hinder Bayern’s usual Rückrunde domination and subsequent path to the title.
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