Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 German Bundesliga
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THE FACTS
When is Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen on and what time does it start? Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen will take place on Friday 15th September, 2023 – 19:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to German Bundesliga matches in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule for Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen
Where can I stream Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen in the UK? If televised on Sky Sports, Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen can be streamed live on the Sky Go app
THE LOWDOWN
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich have started the defence of their Bundesliga title in typically ruthless fashion, gaining nine points from a possible nine, including a 1-2 victory away at Borussia Monchengladbach. A ground which has not proven kind to the ‘Rekordmeister’ in recent season, to win there was a real statement of intent from Thomas Tuchel’s men, as was the winning goal coming from 18-year-old substitute Mathys Tel.
For Tel to come off the bench and score twice already in the Bundesliga this campaign despite the presence of Harry Kane, further underlines the depth of quality available to Tuchel within the Bayern squad and how he can use this to alter a game in his side’s favour as the contest wears on. This could be important in an encounter such as this, when considering the skill of their opponents.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping that the international break hasn’t stunted the incredible momentum that they had built over the first few rounds of the Bundesliga, which saw them record three wins from three under Xabi Alonso. Most recently, they made light work of newly promoted Darmstadt, thrashing them 5-1 at the BayArena, striker Victor Boniface continuing his brilliant start to life at his new club with a second consecutive brace.
Boniface has already found the net five times for Leverkusen in all competitions and his form has been rewarded with the Bundesliga ‘Player of the Month’ award for August. But all of Alonso’s new signings have slotted in perfectly, with the likes of Granit Xhaka a colossus in midfield and Alex Grimaldo a menace on the left-hand-side.
THE TEAM NEWS
BAYERN MUNICH
Joshua Kimmich is doubtful for Bayern after suffering a knock for Germany which forced him to miss their victory over France. Should he not make it, then Konrad Laimer should play alongside Goretzka in central midfield. Jamal Musiala has trained and may be fit enough to start the bench, whilst Raphael Guerreiro is also fight to prove his fitness, although first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer remains out.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Mazraoui, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Laimer, Goretzka; Sane, Muller, Coman; Kane
UNAVAILABLE: Neuer (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Guerreiro (Injured), Kimmich (Injured), Musiala (Fitness), Choupo-Moting (Fitness)
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Striker Patrik Schick remains out for Leverkusen, but the form of Boniface has so far ensured that his absence hasn’t yet been felt. The biggest selection dilemma for Xabi Alonso is whether to pick Exequiel Palacios in central midfield despite him playing for Argentina as recently as late Tuesday night German time. Instead, Alonso could opt for the fresher Robert Andrich but that would mean having to break up a hugely successful midfield pair of Palacios and Granit Xhaka ahead of their toughest test this season.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Boniface, Wirtz
UNAVAILABLE: Arthur (Injured), Schick (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
The two 100% records remaining in the Bundesliga are on the line here as Bayer Leverkusen face the biggest challenge yet of their early title credentials. Bayern Munich have already shown this season that they can win stylishly, but also win ugly and with nine goals scored across the campaign so far, will pose a huge challenge to this Leverkusen backline. However, the visitors can fight fire with fire, scoring 11 Bundesliga goals themselves and Victor Boniface has proven more than capable of matching counterpart Harry Kane. This should be an entertaining battle between two destructive frontlines and backing both teams to score, regardless of who comes out on top has to be favoured.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
