Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig

Verdict: RB Leipzig double chance

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Opening up the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign this weekend, RB Leipzig will travel to the BayArena on Saturday afternoon when they meet Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen

Starting with the hosts, enjoying what was an eye-catching end to their pre-season preparations, Bayer Leverkusen will be desperate to keep up that same momentum on Saturday afternoon. Extending on their DFP Pokal adventure last week as they stormed their way to a routine 8-0 romp against lower-league Teutonia Ottensen, Xabi Alonso’s men will know the importance of making another domestic statement here. However, while the one-time Real Madrid superstar might have seen his squad sign off their pre-season run with a stellar 4-0 victory against Premier League outfit West Ham, Leverkusen certainly signed off the 2022/23 campaign in the midst of an extended struggle. Despite pinching another top-six finish in the Bundesliga last season, Alonso’s side remarkably failed to win any of their final seven straight domestic appearances across all competitions – a run that stemmed all the way back to April 23rd.

Team News

Coming off the bench away at Teutonia Ottensen last week and notching a second-half brace, 21-year-old Adam Hlozek will spearhead Leverkusen’s attack on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, making the move from Arsenal this summer, Switzerland international Granit Xhaka will start at the heart of Alonso’s midfield this weekend.

While central defender Jonathan Tah might remain linked with a summer move away from the BayArena, the 27-year-old should join Edomnd Tapsoba at the back.

RB Leipzig

As for the visitors, putting in a stunning performance last weekend as they were crowned Super Cup champions thanks to a 3-0 romp against Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig will be desperate to produce a similar display here. Storming their way to another Champions League ticket last season, it is no secret that the Red Bulls now have their sights set on mounting a genuine title charge this time around. With the mood around the Red Bull Arena at a real high ahead of their season-opener at the BayArena, Marco Rose’s men will be looking to make an early statement this weekend. Signing off the 2022/23 campaign by winning each of their final seven domestic appearances across all competitions, it should also be noted that the former Borussia Dortmund boss saw his squad win each of their final three top-flight away fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-2.

Team News

Putting in a stunning performance last weekend after notching a Super Cup hat-trick against Bayern Munich, attacking talisman Dani Olmo will have a key role to play on Saturday afternoon. Making the move from PSV this summer, 20-year-old sensation Xavi Simons will make his Bundesliga debut this weekend.

All missing out last week, Leipzig will once again be without the trio of Amadou Haidara, Peter Gulacsi and Christoph Baumgartner here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on April 23rd, Bayer Leverkusen picked up a 2-0 victory on home soil.
• However, that is just the second victory that Alonso’s men have claimed from their previous 10 meetings across all competitions.
• Leverkusen signed off the 2022/23 campaign by failing to win any of their final seven straight domestic appearances.
• RB Leipzig won each of their final three Bundesliga away fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-2.
• Seven of the last eight meetings between Saturday’s opponents have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Making what was a stunning statement last weekend as they were crowned Super Cup champions thanks to a 3-0 romp against Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig will be desperate to produce a repeat display here. Signing off the 2022/23 campaign with a real flurry and the mood around the Red Bull Arena at a real high, Saturday’s guests will be relishing their season-opener here. Suffering just a pair of defeats from their last 10 meetings across all competitions, we are backing an away double chance at the BayArena.

Verdict: RB Leipzig double chance

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Dachbet