Preview: Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern München
Endlich wieder Bundesliga! The Bundesliga finally returns when Bayer Leverkusen face reigning champions Bayern München at home tonight.
| BayArena. |
Leverkusen ended off 2017 in an entertaining fashion with a thrilling 4-4 game against Hannover 96. Bayern are 11 points ahead at the top of the league after narrowly beating Stuttgart in their final Bundesliga game of 2017.
The home side go into the game without any noteworthy injuries in the squad, but the same can't be said of Bayern. Manuel Neuer and Thiago Alcantara are still out due to long-term injuries, but the champions must also do without Mats Hummels (groin) and Robert Lewandowski (patella) tonight.
Lewandowski's absence means Sandro Wagner, who has been signed from Hoffenheim, is likely to start as Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes described the striker as "the first option" at yesterday's press conference.
"He's very ambitious, very disciplined. He's integrated very well into the squad," Heynckes said of Wagner yesterday.
Leverkusen ended 2017 with a very impressive 12-game unbeaten run, and their talented, young team can be a big challenge, Heynckes admits.
"They’re a young, highly talented, hungry, quick team with plenty of imagination," he said at the press conference.
Absentees:
Bayer Leverkusen:
Lomb, Akkaynak, Yurchenko.
Bayern München:
Früchtl, Neuer, F. Götze, Hummels, Benko, Dorsch, Thiago, Lewandowski.
Predicted lineups:
Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1):
Leno - Tah, S. Bender, Retsos - L. Bender, Kohr, Aranguiz, Wendell - Havertz, Bailey - Volland.
Bayern München (4-1-4-1):
Ulreich - Kimmich, Boateng, Süle, Alaba - Martinez - Robben, Müller, Vidal, Ribery - Wagner.
Prediction:
2-2. Bayern haven't won any of their last five matches against Leverkusen at the BayArena in regular time, and it's doubtful that they will get a win tonight. Jupp Heynckes' side may leading the league, but they haven't been as convincing this season as they have in the previous seasons. Bayern are without several injured stars, and Heiko Herrlich's young Leverkusen side is hard to beat.
