Can RB Leipzig topple Bayern Munich this season?

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RB Leipzig, better known as the ‘most hated club in Germany’ sit first place on three points above league heavyweights Bayern Munich with 11 games gone in the Bundesliga season. The club have risen through the ranks in the German football league system, securing their fourth promotion in seven years back in May when they clinched a place in the top flight for the first time in the club’s history.

The club’s achievements are undeniably impressive, but you’re unlikely to hear many German football fans admitting it.

The issue that many have with the club surrounds their commercial backing. The club, previously known as SSV Markranstadt, was purchased by energy drink giants Red Bull back in 2009. While it is against German football rules to name a team after a sponsor, the side was renamed to ‘RasenBallsport Leipzig’ or ‘RB Leipzig’ to flaunt the rules.

Armed with hundreds of millions of euros, RB Leipzig have rapidly progressed up the German football league ranks. Yet, their success has been met with frequent protests from rival fans, including boycotted matches and a severed bull head.

Given their rise, everybody expected RB Leipzig to push on this season and record a decent finish in the Bundesliga. Yet, few would have expected them to be challenging for the title so soon. With a third of the season gone, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side sit in second place, with goal difference alone separating them from table-toppers Bayern Munich.

Few people are happy about their dominant displays. Yet, RB Leipzig remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga, having recorded seven wins and three draws. Impressively, the club haven’t had the easiest start to the season, either. Four of their wins have come against some of the Bundesliga’s biggest sides in Wolfsburg, Werder Bremen, Mainz and, impressively, Borussia Dortmund, which has left many wondering whether Leipzig could pipe Bayern to the title this season.

You only have to look at the Bundesliga winners’ list over the last decade to know that Bayern Munich are clear favourites year in, year out. They have claimed the title in six of the last ten years and are favourites again this season.

RB Leipzig have invested heavily to get to this stage. Yet, even their financial backing is no match for Bayern Munich’s vast revenues. Munich are the fifth largest earners in football, having made £360.6 million throughout 2014/15, and the transfer spending of the two clubs this summer highlights just how far apart they are in terms of funds and quality - while Leipzig splashed a cool £13 million on Scottish wonderkid Oliver Burke, Bayern spent over £60 million to bring in Renato Sanches and Mats Hummels.

However, you only have to look to last season’s Premier League campaign, where Leicester City triumphed against all odds to clinch the title, to know that money isn’t everything in football.

Yet, it is still too early to label RB Leipzig as title challengers, let alone title favourites. Their goal upon entering the top flight was to secure Champions League football within three years and to achieve that on their first attempt would be a phenomenal accomplishment.

The title is undeniably within RB Leipzig’s grasp. Although, their squad is young and largely inexperienced, and the club’s hierarchy should be happy with anything above mid-table this season from their growing side.

The fact that Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig will meet in the penultimate week of the Bundesliga season promises a mouthwatering finish to proceedings, should both sides keep up their brilliant form. Yet, going by both history and quality, Bayern Munich should clinch their fifth consecutive Bundesliga title.