An exhilarating top-table Bundesliga match is about for Saturday night at BayArena, with undefeated leaders Bayer Leverkusen dealing with off towards the present champions, Bayern Munich.
That is the primary time in Bundesliga historical past that two groups have reached 50 factors after 20 video games, with Leverkusen main by two factors over Bayern.
Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen has turn into solely the second staff in German soccer to attain a 30-game unbeaten streak throughout all competitions, after a latest 3-2 victory over Stuttgart put them into the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
Leverkusen’s unbeaten document was almost damaged as Stuttgart took leads of 1-0 and 2-1. Nevertheless, Leverkusen fought again, with Adli tying the sport and Tah scoring a last-minute winner – their third late purpose because the new yr.
Leverkusen stands second solely to Bayern Munich within the longest unbeaten streaks in German soccer. They’ve drastically improved from final season, main the league with the fewest objectives allowed (14).
Of their final league recreation, Leverkusen beat last-place SV Darmstadt 98, 2-0. They’ve solely misplaced factors in 4 out of 20 video games, together with a draw with Bayern – a 2-2 match the place Palacios scored within the remaining moments.
Alonso, who as soon as performed for Bayern, led Leverkusen to a 2-1 win over Bayern final March. He now goals to increase their lead with a win this Saturday.
Bayern Munich is chasing a twelfth consecutive Bundesliga title, challenged by a robust Leverkusen staff. Regardless of being in second place, Bayern has scored probably the most objectives (59) and earned probably the most house factors (28) this season.
After a shocking loss to Werder Bremen, Bayern gained their subsequent three league matches, together with a latest 3-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bayern goals to beat their earlier loss at BayArena, having gained their 4 prior away matches towards Leverkusen, scoring 15 objectives.
Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga Type: W W W W D W
Bayer Leverkusen Type (All Competitions): W W W D W W
Bayern Munich Bundesliga Type: W W L W W W
Bayern Munich Type (All Competitions): D W L W W W
Crew Information
Bayer Leverkusen will miss Boniface and Arthur as a result of accidents, and Kossounou is on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Palacios would possibly miss the sport, so Andrich and Xhaka might play in midfield. Tella, after scoring twice final weekend, and Iglesias would possibly begin upfront, changing Schick.
Bayern Munich’s Davies is out with a knee harm, including to the checklist of sidelined gamers. Laimer and new signee Zaragoza are uncertain, however Kimmich and Upamecano might return. Kim Min-jae is again from the Asian Cup.
Pavlovic, after scoring in his final two begins, would possibly be part of Goretzka in midfield. Sane, Muller, and Musiala are anticipated to assist Kane, who goals for his twenty fifth league purpose.
Potential Beginning Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen:
Hradecky;
Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie;
Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo;
Hofmann, Wirtz;
Iglesias
Bayern Munich:
Neuer;
Mazraoui, Kim, De Ligt, Guerreiro;
Pavlovic, Goretzka;
Sane, Muller, Musiala;
Kane
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich, well-rested and motivated, might be the staff to problem Leverkusen’s spectacular run. Each groups, not at their strongest, are prone to ship an thrilling recreation that ends in a draw, conserving the title race open.