Mainz vs Bayern Munich - Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti expects a close title race with Leipzig

Posted Thursday, December 01, 2016 by PA

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti expects the top of the Bundesliga battle with Leipzig to go right down to the wire as he bids to take his team back above their rivals on Friday night.

Bayern trail Leipzig by three points but their superior goal difference means they would return to the summit with a win over Mainz on Friday.

That would put the ball back in Leipzig's court for their clash with Schalke on Saturday evening and Ancelotti expects there to be plenty of twists and turns on the way to the title.

"Leipzig are a very good team and I'm sure they're going to be big rivals right to the very end," Ancelotti said at a press conference on Thursday.

A second straight defeat to Mainz, after losing at home in April, would give Leipzig the chance to move six points clear, and it would put the Italian in a bad mood for the rest of the weekend.

"We're always under pressure here and we've always struggled against Mainz in recent years, so it's not going to be an easy game," he said.

"Whether I get to watch El Clasico depends on tomorrow's result - if we lose, I will spend the weekend crying so I wouldn't watch it."

Mainz midfielder Danny Latza may have to watch Friday night's clash from the sidelines as he continues to work on his recovery from a long-term injury, and he expects to see a tight game.

"We're at home and we've proven many times this season how strong we are at the Mainz Arena," he said on his club's website.

"Of course you always need a bit of luck against Bayern Munich and a win like last season's only comes around when everything comes together, but we need to assert our game and follow the coach's orders.

"Then we can get something also against Bayern, as long as we work hard and run a lot."