Does Leverkusen pass the record champion?
The mother of all top matches takes place in the Bundesliga on matchday 8 at the BayArena. On Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., the second-placed team in the standings will face off against the top team. Leverkusen receives Bayern. According to the odds, the favourites go to Munich, although it must be taken into account that the Rhinelanders were one of the hottest teams in the top flight before the international break.
So, for the first time this season, the second and the first will face each other in a direct duel. In the recent past, this constellation before a matchday has usually been a free ride for the league leader, as in the past eight encounters of this kind, the respective leader lost only once.
Apart from that, there are of course a whole host of other arguments in favour of a prediction on the record champions between Leverkusen and Bayern. Among other things, FCB have won four of their last five competitive games at the BayArena and are certainly looking to make amends after their disappointing home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt before the international break.
However, because the hosts can also be expected to do a lot in their current form, it is definitely worth considering betting on a high number of goals. The DNA of both teams is characterised by attacking elements, so fans can expect to see a goal or two.
Leverkusen – Statistics & current form
Bayer Leverkusen are playing a very strong season so far. With 16 points from seven games, the Rhinelanders have even made the best start in the last eight years. Only twice in history have Bayer had more points on the books at the same point in a season than they do now. Second place and equal points with the great FC Bayern is the logical consequence.
There is no getting around the fact that coach Gerardo Seoane’s team has absolutely earned the top match on Sunday afternoon against the record champions. But Patrik Schick and Co. have no need to hide at all, because especially the outstanding offensive has lived up to the highest national standards so far
Is Leverkusen off to another furious start?
The second-placed team has already scored 20 goals – more than ever before after seven matchdays. The aforementioned Czech national striker alone has maintained his strong form from the European Championship and has already scored six times. Together with the super-talented Florian Wirtz, who has already scored nine goals this season and is only behind a certain Erling Haaland in the scoring charts, the self-confident home side can be expected to do well this weekend.
Since a bet on the double chance 1X or even on a home win in the top match Leverkusen vs. Bayern is of course associated with plenty of risk, another exciting bet caught our eye. In six of the seven Bayer games so far, at least two goals have been scored in the first half. It is no coincidence that Seoane’s team is the best in the first half. Five leads after 45 minutes and eleven goals scored are league bests!
In terms of personnel, the coach, who led YB Bern to several successes in Switzerland in recent years, will not be making many changes compared to the team that clearly brought Bielefeld to their knees 4-0 before the international break. Only defender Hincapie, who returned late from the Ecuadorian national team, could be replaced by Bakker. Still missing will be the injured Baumgartlinger, Tapsoba and Fosu-Mensah, as well as the red-suspended Andrich.
Predicted Leverkusen line-up:
Hradecky – Frimpong, Kossounou, Tah, Bakker – Demirbay, C. Aranguiz – Adli, Wirtz, Diaby – Schick
Last matches played by Leverkusen:
Bayern – Statistics & current form
No other Bundesliga team had to call up as many internationals during the international break as FC Bayern. The entire first eleven expected on the pitch this weekend was still travelling a few days ago. For this reason, among others, the odds on an away win in the top match in the Bundesliga on matchday 8 between Leverkusen and Bayern are not our first choice. It may even be cleverer to prefer the quotes for the DNB 1.
Statistically and factually, of course, there is still a lot to be said for the Munich team maintaining its lead at the top of the table. Among other things, the FCB won four of the last five away games in Leverkusen. Moreover, the industry leader has not lost twice in a row in the Bundesliga since the end of 2019. After the unexpected 1-2 defeat at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, a reaction from Bayern’s stars is to be expected.
Will Bayern get involved in an open exchange of blows?
Nevertheless, there are also negative aspects that should be taken into account. These relate first and foremost to the defence, because in the past nine Bundesliga games away from home, Manuel Neuer has had to make twelve saves. Only once did he manage a clean sheet in this review of the nine away matches. In contrast, Lewandowski and Co. have now scored at least once in 37 consecutive league games. The logical conclusion here is that the fans in the BayArena will see goals on Sunday.
The most attractive forecast between Leverkusen and Bayern is that the 1.5 goal mark will already be broken in the first half. In five of the seven FCB matches in the current season, such a bet would have gone through. On three occasions alone, the record champions have led by two goals at the break, including in their most recent match at SpVgg Greuther Fürth.
With the exception of Pavard, who is still suspended, and the injured substitute keeper Ulreich, coach Nagelsmann can virtually draw from the full squad. Many changes compared to the usual starting eleven are not expected. Up front, Robert Lewandowski will be hot to end his mini-slump. For the first time since November 2019, the Pole last went without scoring in two consecutive Bundesliga games.
Predicted Bayern line-up:
Neuer – Süle, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies – Kimmich, Goretzka – Gnabry, T. Müller, L. Sané – Lewandowski
Last matches played by Bayern:
Leverkusen – Bayern Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
Of the past five meetings in the Bundesliga, Bayern have won the most recent three. Before that, however, Leverkusen had the upper hand twice in a row. All in all, the record champion has a nose in front with 50 wins from 84 encounters in the top flight (16 draws, 18 defeats).
The most interesting statistic, however, relates to the number of goals scored in the first half. In six of the past eight matches in the Bundesliga, at least two goals were scored in the first half. So why not on Sunday afternoon as well?
Leverkusen – Bayern Tip
More top match does not go on the eighth matchday in the Football Bundesliga. Leverkusen will meet Bayern. The betting odds suggest an advantage for the record champions and current leaders, but the home side has gained so much self-confidence in recent weeks that they do not need to hide from their almost overpowering opponents.
Because we do not underestimate the Werkself and at the same time take into account that on the side of the guests numerous international players have long journeys as well as exhausting matches in their legs, we deliberately refrain from betting on the three-way market and direct our focus on the first half. By the way, it is exciting to mention that the Rhinelanders lead both the first and the second 45 minutes. In total, however, the Nagelsmann eleven is in the lead.
We are convinced that in Sunday’s clash between Leverkusen and Bayern it will pay off to bet on at least two goals being scored in the first half. On the one hand, the statistics speak for this: In six out of seven Bayer games, the Over 1.5 (1st half) would have been correct this season; for the FCB, it would have been correct in five out of seven cases. Furthermore, in six of the past eight encounters between these teams, there has always been more than one goal by the end of the first half.
It is also possible to bet on the hosts scoring the first goal of the match. Goals from both sides in the first 45 minutes also seem far from unlikely, but are rewarded with a very attractive 3.00 at the top.
