Bayern Munich are experiencing troubled times and will look to bring some normalcy into their game when they host one of the League’s toughest opponents in Bayer Leverkusen. The record champions have slumped to two consecutive defeats in their last two matches all competition.
Last week, Bayern lost to Dortmund in Der Klassiker while in midweek’s Champions League fixture, the red coats tasted their second consecutive defeat at the hands of FC Rostov. Carlo Ancelotti’s team have won just two of their last six Bundesliga games (D3, L1). They took just nine points in that timeframe.
Splendidly, both of the teams have had to make a journey across Russia for their respective Champions League fixtures on midweek. While Bayern travelled 2,097 km on Wednesday, Leverkusen ranged 2,079 km to face CSKA Moscow. Neither of them managed to win.
Even though Bayern are on a poor run of form, the men from Bavaria boast a great record against Die Werkself, losing just three of the 37 home games against Leverkusen. They have also won their last three meetings at the Allianz Arena. The record champions are unbeaten in their last 16 league games immediately following a Champions League outing (W13, D3). Their last such defeat came in Freiburg in May 2015, although they’d already wrapped up the title at that point.
Leverkusen, on the other hand, are having a mixed season so far. They have been far from good this campaign, dropping 17 points in 11 games. They have won just five games, just as many as the defeats they have tasted this season. In the last matchday, Die Werkself lost to RB Leipzig in a tight contest. Hakan Calhanoglu’s missed penalty proved costly as RB Leipzig came back from 2:1 down to win the game 3:2 through Willi Orban’s header.
Team News
Everything looked alright for FC Bayern, as most of the players were returning back from injury. But since the defeat to Dortmund, a week ago, Bayern are once again starting to lose players through injury. Manuel Neuer missed midweek’s game due to a muscular problem, and will also miss the clash against Leverkusen. To make things worse, Jerome Boateng also sustained some niggle against Rostov, which makes him doubtful against Leverkusen as he joins the list of Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben, Kingsley Coman in the list of doubtfuls.
As for Leverkusen, coach Roger Schmidt will only miss Karim Bellarabi and striker Joel Pohjanpalo through long-term injuries. Everyone else is fit for the Bayern clash on Saturday.
Predicted Lineup
Bayern Munich: Here is T4O’s predicted Bayern lineup
Bayer Leverkusen: (4-4-2 formation) Bernd Leno; Benny Henrichs, Jonathan Tah, Omer Toprak, Wendell; Kevin Volland, Charles Aranguiz, Lars Bender, Hakan Calhanoglu; Javier Hernandez, Julian Brandt
Prediction – Bayern 2:0 Leverkusen
