A thrilling top-table Bundesliga match is set for Saturday evening at BayArena, with undefeated leaders Bayer Leverkusen facing off against the current champions, Bayern Munich.
This is the first time in Bundesliga history that two teams have reached 50 points after 20 games, with Leverkusen leading by two points over Bayern.
Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen has become only the second team in German football to achieve a 30-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, after a recent 3-2 victory over Stuttgart put them into the DFB-Pokal semi-finals.
Leverkusen’s unbeaten record was nearly broken as Stuttgart took leads of 1-0 and 2-1. However, Leverkusen fought back, with Adli tying the game and Tah scoring a last-minute winner – their third late goal since the new year.
Leverkusen stands second only to Bayern Munich in the longest unbeaten streaks in German football. They have greatly improved from last season, leading the league with the fewest goals allowed (14).
In their last league game, Leverkusen beat last-place SV Darmstadt 98, 2-0. They’ve only lost points in four out of 20 games, including a draw with Bayern – a 2-2 match where Palacios scored in the final moments.
Alonso, who once played for Bayern, led Leverkusen to a 2-1 win over Bayern last March. He now aims to extend their lead with a win this Saturday.
Bayern Munich is chasing a 12th consecutive Bundesliga title, challenged by a strong Leverkusen team. Despite being in second place, Bayern has scored the most goals (59) and earned the most home points (28) this season.
After a surprising loss to Werder Bremen, Bayern won their next three league matches, including a recent 3-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bayern aims to overcome their previous loss at BayArena, having won their four prior away matches against Leverkusen, scoring 15 goals.
Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga Form: W W W W D W
Bayer Leverkusen Form (All Competitions): W W W D W W
Bayern Munich Bundesliga Form: W W L W W W
Bayern Munich Form (All Competitions): D W L W W W
Team News
Bayer Leverkusen will miss Boniface and Arthur due to injuries, and Kossounou is at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Palacios might miss the game, so Andrich and Xhaka could play in midfield. Tella, after scoring twice last weekend, and Iglesias might start upfront, replacing Schick.
Bayern Munich’s Davies is out with a knee injury, adding to the list of sidelined players. Laimer and new signee Zaragoza are doubtful, but Kimmich and Upamecano could return. Kim Min-jae is back from the Asian Cup.
Pavlovic, after scoring in his last two starts, might join Goretzka in midfield. Sane, Muller, and Musiala are expected to support Kane, who aims for his 25th league goal.
Possible Starting 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, could be the team to challenge Leverkusen’s impressive run. Both teams, not at their strongest, are likely to deliver an exciting game that ends in a draw, keeping the title race open.
