Bayer Leverkusen will aim to strengthen their top four push when they face Borussia Mochengladbach on Saturday.
Bayer Leverkusen travel to Borussia Park on Saturday knowing that victory over Borussia Monchengladbach is essential if they are to keep pace in the increasingly congested race for the Bundesliga’s top four. The visitors arrive sixth in the table on 35 points, four adrift of’Stuttgart in fourth, while Borussia Monchengladbach sit 12th with 21 points and remain uncomfortably close to the relegation conversation.
Gladbach’s frustrations were evident in their 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen at the end of January. Having led for much of the contest, they were pegged back by a stoppage-time equaliser, extending a worrying run of form. More concerning than the late concession was their lack of attacking intent early on, producing just two shots and a meagre 0.07 expected goals in the first half. That inefficiency has become a theme, with Gladbach ranking among the lowest five sides in the league for xG created this season.
Under Eugen Polanski, Die Fohlen are searching for stability. They are winless in four matches, conceding nine goals during that stretch, and have struggled to turn Borussia Park into a fortress. A 3-0 defeat to Stuttgart last time out at home marked their third loss in four league games there, with only a single victory to show in that period. With Mainz closing the gap below them, the pressure to halt the slide is growing.
Leverkusen, by contrast, arrive with confidence and momentum. Their 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt showcased both their attacking depth and resilience, even if the contest swung decisively after Ellyes Skhiri’s late red card. Kasper Hjulmand’s side have now won four straight matches in all competitions, scoring ten goals in the process and keeping three clean sheets. Another victory this weekend would make it five in a row and further strengthen their European credentials.
The visitors’ recent record against Gladbach offers further encouragement. Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings with Die Fohlen, winning nine times, including a run of dominance that has often seen them control games with relative comfort. While the reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 1–1 draw, it still extended that impressive streak.
Away form has been less consistent, however. Leverkusen have won two of their last three Bundesliga matches on the road, but defeats in three of their last five away games across all competitions hint at vulnerability if intensity drops. Against a Gladbach side desperate for points, complacency would be risky. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach head into this fixture with notable absences in attack. Robin Hack is sidelined with a knee injury, while Tim Kleindienst is also unavailable due to a knee problem. Nathan Ngoumou remains out after suffering an Achilles injury, further limiting Eugen Polanski’s options in the forward line. There are no suspension concerns, but the lack of depth in attacking areas places added responsibility on those fit and available.
Despite those setbacks, top scorer Haris Tabakovic is available and expected to lead the line. The striker, who has been a consistent goal threat this season, will rely heavily on service and support from Franck Honorat, particularly in transition and wide attacking phases, if Gladbach are to trouble Leverkusen’s defence.
In terms of shape, Borussia Monchengladbach are set to line up in a 3-5-2 formation against Bayer Leverkusen. Moritz Nicolas is expected to start in goal. The back three should consist of Kota Takai on the right, Nico Elvedi centrally, and Kevin Diks on the left, offering a blend of defensive solidity and ball progression. On the flanks, Joe Scally is likely to operate as the right wing-back, with Lukas Ullrich covering the left side.
In central midfield, Rocco Reitz and Yannik Engelhardt are expected to provide energy and ball-winning, while Florian Neuhaus takes on a deeper playmaking role. Up front, Franck Honorat is set to play just off Haris Tabakovic, with Honorat drifting wide and between the lines to support the main striker.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Nicolas; Takai, Elvedi, Diks; Scally, Reitz, Engelhardt, Neuhaus, Ullrich; Honorat, Tabakovic
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen will once again be without first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. With no suspension issues reported, Janis Blaswich is expected to retain his place between the posts after deputising in recent matches.
Leverkusen’s injury list is otherwise relatively light, allowing Kasper Hjulmand to field a strong and well-balanced side for this important Bundesliga fixture. In midfield, both Ezequiel Fernandez and Aleix Garcia are pushing for starts after featuring prominently in recent weeks, offering technical quality and control in possession.
At the back, Robert Andrich is expected to continue operating in a deeper defensive role, providing cover and physical presence, flanked by younger options who bring pace and composure on the ball. In attack, Patrik Schick is likely to spearhead the forward line as Leverkusen look to maintain their recent scoring momentum.
Tactically, Bayer Leverkusen are set to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Janis Blaswich should start as the goalkeeper. The back three is expected to feature Jarell Quansah as the right centre-back, Robert Andrich in the central defensive role, and Edmond Tapsoba on the left, combining aerial strength with progressive passing. On the flanks, Arthur is likely to operate as the right wing-back, while Alejandro Grimaldo takes up his customary role on the left, offering width and attacking thrust.
In central midfield, Ezequiel Fernandez and Aleix Garcia are expected to form the double pivot, tasked with dictating tempo and linking defence with attack. Further forward, Malik Tillman and Ernest Poku should operate as the two attacking midfielders, drifting between the lines to support the lone striker. Leading the line, Patrik Schick is expected to play as the central forward, occupying the opposition centre-backs and serving as Leverkusen’s primary goal threat.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick
Key Stats
- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 12 Bundesliga meetings with Borussia Monchengladbach, winning nine of those encounters.
- Borussia Monchengladbach are winless in their last four league matches, conceding nine goals during that run.
- Bayer Leverkusen have scored 10 goals across their last four matches in all competitions, while keeping three clean sheets in that span.
- Gladbach rank among the bottom five teams in the Bundesliga for expected goals created this season.
- Bayer Leverkusen are just four points off the top-four places, making this fixture crucial in their push for Champions League qualification.
Player to Watch
Jarell Quansah
The former Liverpool defender is set to play a key role at Borussia Park, particularly if Bayer Leverkusen stick with a back three. The young centre-back has grown in authority as the season has progressed, combining physical strength with calm distribution under pressure.
Against a Borussia Monchengladbach side that has struggled to generate chances consistently, Quansah’s ability to step out of defence, win aerial duels and cut out early passes into Haris Tabakovic could be decisive. His composure in possession also allows Leverkusen to build from the back and maintain territorial control, which will be vital in an away fixture where game management is key.
If Bayer Leverkusen are to extend their impressive unbeaten run against Gladbach, Quansah’s defensive discipline and positional awareness are likely to be central to that effort.
Prediction
Borussia Monchengladbach 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Monchengladbach’s recent struggles in front of goal, combined with their poor home form, make this a tough assignment against a Bayer Leverkusen side hitting momentum at the right time. The visitors look more balanced, defensively solid, and far sharper in the final third. Expect Gladbach to compete early, but Leverkusen’s structure and attacking quality should eventually tell.
