Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen preview
A quick scan of Saturday's Bundesliga fixtures, and your eye will be drawn to one match in particular. Undoubtedly, Bayern Munich's home contest against Bayer Leverkusen is the standout offering on Saturday.
The champions are closing in on ten in a row, while Leverkusen are currently on track to qualify for the Champions League.
The champions are closing in on ten in a row, while Leverkusen are currently on track to qualify for the Champions League.
| Julian Nagelsmann. | Photo: Bayern München/OneFootball |
Bayern Munich
Dortmund's slip up against Augsburg last weekend inched Bayern closer to their tenth consecutive Bundesliga title. Julian Nagelsmann's men did their job last weekend as they negotiated a tricky away fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt. Patience was the order of the day as the Bavarians had to wait until the 71st minute to open the scoring. Unsurprisingly, Joshua Kimmich had a prominent role in the winner as he pierced the Frankfurt defence with a beautifully weighted ball to find Leroy Sané, who made no mistake in sliding his effort beyond Kevin Trapp.
Sané's seventh league goal of the season ensured Bayern would claim consecutive victories and with Dortmund dropping points against Augsburg, the reigning champions extended the gap at the top to eight points. Despite the league leaders enjoying a comfortable cushion to Dortmund, Nagelsmann will be fully aware that Saturday's fixture presents a potential stumbling block.
Although, many onlookers suspected Leverkusen may test the Bavarians in the reverse fixture, but Bayern ran riot, thrashing Die Werkself 5-1. Those five goals have played a part in Bayern racking up 75 goals in 24 league games, with Saturday's hosts on course to hit the 100 mark this term.
Bayern will be without the services of Corentin Tolisso, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies and Leon Goretzka, while Lucas Hernandez is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen have entertained this season, and the third-highest scorers in the Bundesliga will be aiming to claim a surprise victory on Saturday. Despite sitting in third position, a place in the top four is far from secure, with Die Werkself possessing just a four-point cushion to fifth spot.
The visitors enter Saturday's contest in high spirits after winning five of their last six matches. They also currently hold the second-best away record in the league, having collected 21 points from their 12 away games.
Despite faring well on their travels, Leverkusen will know they face a tough task on Saturday, having lost their previous five contests against Bayern Munich.
Patrik Schick has scored 20 league goals this season, but Leverkusen will have to cope without their starman, who is ruled out through injury. Karim Bellarabi is another absentee. After scoring seven goals in his last five matches, Moussa Diaby will be pivotal for the visitors if they are to claim a positive result on Saturday.
