Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich are set to take on each other in a potential title-defining clash at the BayArena, with implications in store for both sides.
Xabi Alonso would have rued Nordi Mukiele’s golden chance in the first half against VfL Wolfsburg, as Bayer Leverkusen were held to a goalless draw ahead of the crucial Bundesliga game against Bayern Munich. That result was also the first time the reigning champions failed to score in 18 games, although that result did extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen are unbeaten in 20 Bundesliga games, although they are trailing by a big margin to Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants opened an eight-point gap following their 3-0 win over Werder Bremen, which makes this clash against the Bavarians a must-win.
The implication of losing this clash against Bayern Munich would bring the feeling that the title dreams are all but over, although a win would bring Alonso’s men back into the mix. While Bayer Leverkusen can take solace from the fact that they are unbeaten against Bayern Munich this season in two separate encounters, Alonso will hope to continue that and get three points against their title rivals.
Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany wants a focused display from his players in this potential title-defining clash, as Bayern Munich could literally take an 11-point advantage at the end of the clash. At best, the Belgian coach would want his team to maintain the current gap of eight points.
The win over Werder Bremen also made sure Bayern Munich have now scored three goals or more in 19 games across the 2024/25 season. The Bavarians are in a spectacular position when it comes to the league. Earlier this week, they also secured an advantage in their UEFA Champions League playoffs against Celtic, as they await the Scottish side in Munich next week.
Overall, the title-defining contest at the BayArena will have implications, but mostly in a positive way for Kompany’s side. They will not want to lose this clash as that will allow Leverkusen to close the gap, but given their form, the Bavarians will be confident of a result coming to this venue.
Team News & Tactics
Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso does not have too many problems with the fitness of his players apart from those already unavailable. Defender Jeanuel Belocian and attacker Martin Terrier will miss the remainder of the season, while there are some doubts about the winter arrival of Mario Hermoso.
In any case, Hermoso was not pencilled in for a starting position in this clash, with Alonso set to stick with a backline of Mukiele, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie. The Spanish coach will persist with a 4-4-2 setup designed to contain the otherwise fluid Bayern Munich attack.
Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios are the likely choices for the central midfield berths, with Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo operating in the wide areas. Alonso would prefer the idea of a two-man front line, with Florian Wirtz likely to partner up with Victor Boniface rather than Patrik Schick.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Boniface, Wirtz
Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany will have to make do without some of his players ahead of this trip to Leverkusen. A key one is Alphonso Davies, with the star left-back likely to miss out, while Joao Palhinha is also a big doubt alongside goalkeeper Daniel Peretz.
The latter was unlikely to start anyway, given Manuel Neuer remains the firm first-choice stopper between the sticks. Palhinha’s potential absence does open the door for Leon Goretzka to join Joshua Kimmich in central midfield.
Kompany will persist with Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-Jae, and Raphael Guerreiro at the back, with the latter being the replacement for Davies in the left-back role. Jamal Musiala is pencilled in for the attacking midfield role, with Leroy Sane on the left-hand side.
Michael Olise will operate on the right wing and complete the attacking setup. Harry Kane will lead the line for Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen, aiming to extend his numbers to the top of the goalscoring charts in the Bundesliga.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Sane; Kane
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen are undefeated against Bayern Munich in their last five games across all competitions.
- Bayer Leverkusen are undefeated in their last 19 matches in the Bundesliga.
- Bayer Leverkusen failed to score for the first time in 18 games following their goalless draw against VfL Wolfsburg.
- Bayern Munich have won their last seven matches in the Bundesliga.
- Never since the introduction of 3-points-for-a-win in 1995/96 have the leaders blown an eight-point advantage at this stage of the season.
Player to Watch
Harry Kane
The striker has been in a sublime vein of form in his second season in the Bundesliga and currently leads the scoring charts in the Bundesliga. The Englishman remains the key component for the club in the attacking third, and Vincent Kompany will want him to hit top gear in a title-defining clash like this one.
Kane will be Bayer Leverkusen’s biggest problem when defending the ball, and Xabi Alonso will feel the need to keep him quiet for the duration of the game. The England captain will want to get his name on the scoresheet and continue his impressive scoring record in the Bundesliga.
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Bayern Munich
Bayer Munich will be the team under less pressure coming into this game, given they have a comfortable eight-point advantage at the top. However, Vincent Kompany will not want the gap reduced to five points after Saturday, and he will surely look to come here with the intention of not losing.
For Bayer Leverkusen, this is a must-win encounter, and these are clashes where both teams can get extremely cagey with their defensive setup. Both have the players to manage a game of this magnitude and while there can be a big winner out of this, the current situation points towards an eventful draw, which will end up suiting Bayern more than the hosts. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw.
