Ten reasons why Leipzig should be taken seriously
RB Leipzig's sensational debut campaign in the Bundesliga shows no sign of letting up.
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The eastern upstarts were beaten last time out by Borussia Dortmund, but they have lost just three games all season and are just four points off the top as FC Bayern München's closest challengers.
It may look like an anomaly on paper, but there are actually plenty of reasons why Leipzig deserve to be challenging for the Bundesliga title. bundesliga.com takes a closer look...
Watch: Highlights of Leipzig's memorable win against Dortmund on Matchday 1:
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1) They are record breakers
No promoted side had ever gone 11 games unbeaten at the start of a Bundesliga campaign. Leipzig beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen 3-2 to put paid to that statistic, guaranteeing them a place in the history books. They eventually lost their first match of the season as late as Matchday 14.
2) They can put a run together
Leipzig recorded eight consecutive wins between late September and early December, a streak not even league leaders FC Bayern have been able to match. With 13 victories from 19 matches, they are just four points off the top and seven clear of third.
3) They are doing their region proud
Leipzig are the first team from the eastern state of Saxony to ever top the Bundesliga, which they did back in November. With their vociferous supporters behind them, they boast the best home record in the division, winning eight and drawing one of their nine games.
Watch: Find out what it means to the club to be playing in the top flight:
4) They are formidable on the road
Leipzig are also the second-best away team in the Bundesliga, having picked up 17 points from a possible 30. Their only defeats have come against Bayern, Dortmund and FC Ingolstadt 04.
5) They can turn games around
Leipzig have opened the scoring in 13 of their 19 outings this season, but when they do concede first, they have shown they are no pushovers. As well as winning at Leverkusen, they battled to a 2-2 draw and a 2-1 win against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Hasenhüttl's charges certainly have the resilience to succeed when the going gets tough.
6) They go the extra mile
Leipzig top the Bundesliga's running charts, with their team covering an average of 115.2 kilometres per game, behind Ingolstadt and SC Freiburg only. That means they have popped up with no fewer than nine goals in the final 15 minutes after wearing down their opponents.
7) They have Fantastic Forsberg
Sweden international Emil Forsberg has been the driving force behind Leipzig's attack this season, notching five goals and providing a league-leading eight assists. The 25-year-old has missed the last three games due to suspension but will feel confident of adding to his impressive numbers on his return.
Watch: Forsberg provided a telling contribution in November's statement win at Leverkusen:
8) They know how to adapt
Leipzig's high-octane style is based on intense pressing and fast transitional play, but they can also adapt their game plan if necessary. Furthermore, Hasenhüttl knows when to stick or twist – his substitutes have scored seven goals this season, second only to Hoffenheim (9).
9) They are solid at the back
Leipzig had the best defence in Bundesliga 2 last season, conceding just 32 goals in 34 games. In the Bundesliga they have the fourth best, having conceded 17 times.
10) They are young and fearless
The average age of Leipzig's starting eleven this season has been just over 24 years of age. Hasenhüttl has a whole host of bright young things at his disposal, including Timo Werner (20), Marcel Sabitzer (22), Yussuf Poulsen (22) and Naby Keita (21). In fact, defender Marvin Compper (31) is the only player in his thirties to have played for Leipzig all season.