Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is a heavyweight all-Bundesliga showdown on Wednesday night, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen will meet for their Champions League first-leg meeting.
Bayern Munich
Starting with the hosts, although Bayern Munich might have only just about dragged themselves over the finishing line last month as they secured a 3-2 aggregate win against Celtic, the German giants are enjoying a real flurry. While some around the Allianz might have been shocked last summer following Vincent Kompany’s arrival, the former Burnley boss has made a real impact in Munich. Keeping up their recent purple patch last weekend as they secured a thumping 3-1 victory against. Stuttgart, Bayern have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions. Holding what is a commanding eight-point buffer at the top of the Bundesliga table, Kompany’s side will be looking to lay down a statement of intent here.
Bayern Munich Team News
In what looks set to be a huge blow for Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, midfield talisman Joshua Kimmich is expected to miss out through a thigh issue. However, aside from the German international, Kompany’s side have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about.
Enjoying what has been another record-breaking flurry this season and notching seven goals in his nine Champions League appearances this season, England skipper harry Kane will lead the line here. Former Tottenham defender Eric Dier could keep his spot partnering Min-Jae Kim at the back.
Bayer Leverkusen
As for the visitors, although Bayer Leverkusen might have made real history last season as they secured a maiden Bundesliga crown, Xabi Alonso’s men have an almighty uphill battle on their hands this time around. Nevertheless, despite signing off their Champions League group stage adventure with a 2-1 loss away at Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid on January 21st, Wednesday’s guests cruised their way to a top-eight finish. Picking up some perfect momentum last time out as they landed a thumping 4-1 victory away at Eintracht Frankfurt, Leverkusen have lost just one of their last 21 appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, Alonso’s defending champions have suffered just a single defeat away from the BayArena since returning from November’s international break.
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Not making a single appearance since January 18th, Bayer Leverkusen will once again be without former Rennes star Martin Terrier on Wednesday night. However, serving a domestic suspension away at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend, Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie should be handed a full recall.
Finding the net in back-to-back Bundesliga appearances and now notching 13 goals in as many appearances across all competitions, the red-hot Patrik Schick will spearhead Alonso’s attack. Former Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka could be partnered alongside Aleix Gracia.
Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen Key Factors to Consider
- When Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen last met back on February 15th for a Bundesliga showdown, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate at the BayArena.
- Kompany’s side are unbeaten in all of their last nine consecutive showdowns at the Allianz (eight wins, one draw).
- Bayer Leverkusen have suffered just a single defeat on their travels since returning from November’s international break.
- Four of Leverkusen’s last six away fixtures have finished with both teams finding the net.
- England skipper Harry Kane has scored seven goals in his nine Champions League appearances this season.
Conclusion
While the two German giants might have played out a 0-0 stalemate when they last met back on February 15th, we should be treated to a far more enjoyable affair here. With both Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen enjoying their own respective flurries, we are expecting chances to come thick and fast on Wednesday night. It should be noted, with the defending German champions seeing four of their previous six away fixtures across all competitions finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome from the Allianz.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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