Defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen host league leaders Bayern Munich, who have the chance to build a double-digit lead at the top of the standings.
By Neel Shelat
Bayern Munich’s imperious form
There were a good few doubters when Vincent Kompany was appointed as Bayern Munich’s head coach ahead of this season, but the signs were always there that he could lead the team to success. He looks well on course to doing just that as the Rekordmeister are taking an eight-point lead into this fixture and have won all but one of their last 10 games.
Bayern have absolutely dominated the vast majority of their Bundesliga matches this season. They have scored the most goals with an average of over three per game, conceded the fewest times, and maintained a staggering possession average of over 70%! Without a doubt, they have been the best team in Germany this term.
Draws set to cost Leverkusen the title
Bayer Leverkusen were never likely to match the highs of their invincible domestic campaign in 2023/24, so their ongoing campaign should be considered a success in the bigger picture. While their chances of defending the title willl remain slim even if they manage to win this match, they are arguably the favourites in the DFB Pokal and have a spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. So, more silverware could well be on the cards for Die Werkself.
In the Bundesliga, though, Xabi Alonso’s side will likely point to draws as the cause of their failure to retain the title. Like Bayern, they too have lost just one league game, so dropped points against the likes of Holstien Kiel, Bochum, Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg have opened up the points deficit.
Leverkusen on their best-ever head-to-head streak
Bayer Leverkusen have played over a hundred games against Bayern, but they have only managed to put together one five-game unbeaten streak against Die Roten. That run started a couple of years ago and is currently ongoing, with their narrow cup victory in December being the most recent meeting. That means Xabi Alonso is yet to taste defeat against Bayern as a head coach, the club where he ended his playing career.
Bayern Munich still in with a shot at a record points haul
Bayern Munich will effectively have one hand on the title if they win this game, but they should have some extra motivation to keep going at 100% until the end of the season.
Die Roten are still in with a chance of breaking the Bundesliga points record that they themselves set over a decade ago, but the margin for error is absolutely zero. They are currently on course for a final tally of 93 points if they win all of their matches, so even one more draw will make it impossible for them to overtake the 91-point record.
Prediction
A high-quality tactical match-up is pretty much guaranteed between these two teams and coaches, but Bayern might just have the quality and momentum to edge out a narrow one-goal victory.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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