BERLIN, Dec. 23 -- The German Bundesliga is delivering its most exciting title race for decades in the 2019/20 season. It was 10 years ago that the half-time champion, called the "Herbstmeister" (or autumn champion), was not Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund.

With league leader RB Leipzig and runner-up Borussia Moenchengladbach, the established forces face serious challengers. But there are many more surprises.

SURPRISES

Leipzig: 32-year-old Julian Nagelsmann lifted RB Leipzig on a new level. The first qualification for the knock-out stage in the club's history and the chance to win the first national title are setting new marks for the East-German side.

Mental robustness comes along with the best figure of 48 goals (2.82 on average). Rasenballsport is the trendsetting side with 11 goals after counter-attacks, 13 after dead-ball situations, and 20 points out of nine away-games (all league-best marks).

The youngest coach has added a finely adjusted ball-possession note to the team's convincing forwarding football.

Chance to win the title: high.

Moenchengladbach: The famous "foals" are back on the big stage thanks to the enchanting style implemented by new coach Marco Rose. The best side on home soil (22 points) has played the best first season half since 1976/77.

The five-time German champion stands for the best defense (18 goals) aside from Wolfsburg (9). Failing to secure the next round in the Euro League and the German Cup might increase the chances to win the first Championship since 1977 as the team can entirely focus on the title-race.

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