Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 5/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In a highly-anticipated Bundesliga clash, reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen head to the Allianz Arena on Saturday to take on Bayern Munich, with both sides looking to assert dominance in the title race.
Under new manager Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich have enjoyed a flawless start to the campaign, sitting at the top of the table with 12 points from four matches. Meanwhile, Leverkusen, just three points behind in second place, have won three of their four games and will aim to close the gap on their title rivals with a statement victory.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich’s blistering start to the 2024-25 season under Vincent Kompany has indeed silenced any early doubts about the former Burnley manager’s ability to lead the Bavarians in a competitive title race. With six consecutive victories across all competitions, Bayern have been firing on all cylinders, particularly in attack.
Their 5-0 rout of Werder Bremen showcased their attacking prowess, with Michael Olise delivering a standout performance, bagging two goals and two assists. Harry Kane, in the form of his life, added to his tally with a goal and two assists, further solidifying his role as the focal point of Bayern’s attack. Kane’s remarkable four-goal display against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League not only helped secure a 9-2 win but also saw him become the leading English scorer in Champions League history, surpassing Wayne Rooney.
Despite their prolific form in front of goal, it’s notable that Bayern’s goal tally of 16 in the Bundesliga is significantly higher than their expected goals (xG) figure. This indicates their clinical finishing, even though they’ve created fewer big chances than other top sides in the division, ranking fourth in this regard.
As they prepare for their showdown with Bayer Leverkusen, Kompany’s side will look to maintain this red-hot form, but they’ll face a stern test from their title rivals in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
Team News
Bayern defensive setup will face some challenges with the continued absences of Hiroki Ito, Josip Stanisic, and Sacha Boey. Kompany will need to make do without these players, though the anticipated return of Manuel Neuer in goal provides a significant boost in experience and leadership for the backline.
Neuer is expected to be protected by a back four consisting of Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, and Alphonso Davies, a strong defensive unit despite the missing players. In midfield, Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic have been forming a promising partnership, and with their recent performances, it’s likely Kompany will stick with this pairing.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen have been effective going forward this season but are struggling defensively compared to their 2023/24 campaign. Despite winning six of their seven competitive games, conceding 11 goals in that time highlights their defensive vulnerabilities, something Bayern will be eager to exploit.
In their most recent Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, Leverkusen’s defensive frailties were evident as they let in three goals, only scraping a win thanks to a 93rd-minute goal from Victor Boniface. This sharp rise in defensive concessions – averaging 2.25 goals per game this season compared to just 0.71 last term – will be a significant concern for head coach Xabi Alonso as he prepares for the clash with Bayern.
Leverkusen’s players, including key midfielder Granit Xhaka, have cited their lack of aggression and positional discipline as reasons for these defensive lapses. Xhaka’s comments point to a mental and tactical gap, where the team allows opponents too much space to maneuver, a worrying trend when facing Bayern’s clinical attack.
Despite their defensive issues, Leverkusen are an immensely difficult team to beat, having only lost one of their last 38 league games and being unbeaten in 19 away matches. If Alonso can tighten up his side’s defence, they remain a formidable threat capable of upsetting Bayern at Allianz Arena.
Team News
Leverkusen head into their crucial match against Bayern Munich with a fully fit squad, allowing manager Xabi Alonso the flexibility to make tactical adjustments. Granit Xhaka is set to anchor the midfield, but given the team’s recent defensive struggles, it’s likely that Aleix Garcia may make way for Exequiel Palacios, who can add more defensive stability.
Alonso is expected to reinstate wing-back Jeremie Frimpong and striker Victor Boniface to the starting lineup, replacing Nordi Mukiele and Patrik Schick, respectively. These changes should bolster both the defence and attack, as Frimpong’s pace and Boniface’s goal-scoring ability will be crucial against Bayern’s high press.
Florian Wirtz, who has been in exceptional form with four goals in his last three matches, will also be a key player for Leverkusen.
Conclusion
Bayern Munich’s attacking prowess has been exceptional this season, and given Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive vulnerabilities, they could indeed capitalize on the opportunities that arise. Bayern’s ability to create scoring chances has been highlighted by their prolific form, evidenced by their 16 goals in the Bundesliga thus far.
While Leverkusen boast an impressive offensive lineup featuring talents like Wirtz and Boniface, they will face a daunting task against Bayern’s relentless attack. Even if they manage to find the net, it may not be sufficient if Bayern maintain their current offensive rhythm.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 5/7
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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