Verdict: Dwelling win
Finest odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what might be the decisive conflict of the Bundesliga title race, reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen will host present leaders Bayern Munich on the BayArena on Saturday.
Leverkusen, held to a 0-0 draw by Wolfsburg on February 8, sit second with 46 factors, whereas Bayern prolonged their result in eight factors with a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen on February 7.
Bayer Leverkusen
The champions have been saved from scoring for the primary time in 18 matches by Wolfsburg, with Nordi Mukiele notably lacking a golden likelihood within the twenty second minute, failing to transform from shut vary after a nook regardless of the aim being unguarded.
Whereas it’s exhausting to fault Xabi Alonso’s aspect this season – they’ve reached the DFB-Pokal semi-finals, superior to the Champions League final 16, and sit second within the Bundesliga – they’re on tempo for 78 factors, 12 fewer than their 2023/24 tally.
Leverkusen have netted 17 objectives of their final six league video games however have managed simply three clear sheets of their earlier 12 Bundesliga matches.
They’ve confronted Bayern twice this season, drawing 1-1 within the league on September 28 and successful 1-0 within the DFB-Pokal on December 3, aided by Manuel Neuer’s Seventeenth-minute pink card.
Their draw with Wolfsburg prolonged an unbeaten run to 5 matches (three wins), whereas they’ve triumphed in 14 of their final 17 outings. Unbeaten in 16 house video games, Leverkusen have additionally received their final 10 at BayArena, scoring three objectives in three of their final 4.
Staff Information
Leverkusen have a principally match squad however can be with out centre-back Jeanuel Belocian for the remainder of the season.
Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie are anticipated to kind the line of defense in entrance of goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Victor Boniface and Florian Wirtz are set to occupy two of the three ahead spots, whereas Nathan Tella may function in assault on account of Martin Terrier’s season-ending damage.
Bayern Munich
Bayern head into the match after a dominant win over Werder Bremen, conceding simply 0.13 xG and two pictures whereas producing over 4 xG themselves.
Vincent Kompany’s aspect have scored three or extra objectives in 19 matches this season, with 65 Bundesliga objectives placing them on tempo for 105 — a tally bettered solely twice since 1905-06.
Although Bayern edged Celtic 2-1 within the Champions League midweek, they seemed weak to counter-attacks. Defensive struggles persist, with 11 objectives conceded of their final seven video games, however they’ve received their final 5 matches and 9 of their final 10 in all competitions.
Their away kind has been inconsistent, successful 4, drawing one, and shedding two of their final seven on the street.
Staff Information
Bayern can be with out Alphonso Davies and backup goalkeeper Daniel Peretz for Saturday’s match. Raphael Guerreiro is predicted to fill in at left-back, alongside Josip Stanisic, Dayot Upamecano, and Kim Min-jae in defence.
Joao Palhinha is a doubt on account of sickness, which may see Joshua Kimmich companion with Leon Goretzka in a double pivot if the Portuguese midfielder is unavailable.
Conclusion
Leverkusen should win to maintain their title hopes alive, which may see them depart defensive gaps whereas pushing ahead. Though Bayern are prone to discover the online, Leverkusen will again themselves to take advantage of Bayern’s defensive vulnerabilities and preserve their title problem alive.
Verdict: Dwelling win
Finest odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
