Bayer Leverkusen will kick off the new league campaign this weekend with perhaps their toughest assignment of the whole season- a fixture away at defending champions Bayern Munich, who have won the last five Bundesliga titles and look set to add another to their cabinet.
The Bavarians beat Borussia Dortmund on penalties in the Super Cup and followed it up with a 5-0 demolition of Chemnitzer FC in the Pokal. There were some doubts over Carlo Ancelotti’s men after three consecutive losses in pre-season to Inter, Liverpool and Napoli respectively in the International Champions Cup, but the wins over BVB and Chemnitzer has left Bayern fans feeling much happier before the start of the new season.
Bayern put five past Chemnitzer in the Pokal (Video)
Bayern have moved to bolster their side with the acquisitions of Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy from last season’s surprise packages Hoffenheim and rising star Corentin Tolisso from Olympique Lyonnais. They also converted Kingsley Coman’s loan deal into a permanent transfer.
Leverkusen finished a lowly 12th last season and are expected to struggle again in 17/18, especially with the departures of key players like Javier Hernandez (West Ham), Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan) and Omer Toprak (Dortmund).
They were winless in their last five club friendlies and needed extra time to beat third division side Karlsruhe in their Pokal clash last weekend.
Robert Lewandowski has already netted in both of Bayern’s competitive fixtures this season and the Pole will be keen to open his league account for the season against the Werkself. Not surprising then that Bayern are strong favourites at NetBet Sport to win this clash against Leverkusen, whose last triumph at the Allianz Arena came way back in 2012, when goals from Stefan Kiessling and Sidney Sam gave them a 2:1 win over the hosts.
Leverkusen were surprisingly decent travellers in 2016/17- their tally of 6 wins on the road in the league was higher than any other team bar Bayern and Leipzig, who finished first and second respectively. In fact, they won more away than at the Bay Arena.
Bayer Leverkusen recent form
Karlsruher 0:3 Leverkusen ET (Pokal)
Leverkusen 3:3 Celta Vigo (Friendly)
Leverkusen 1:3 Lazio (Friendly)
Leverkusen 1:1 Antalyaspor (Friendly)
Sandhausen 3:2 Leverkusen (Friendly)
Bayern Munich recent form
Chemnitzer 0:5 Bayern
Borussia Dortmund 2:2 Bayern (Bayern won on penalties)
Bayern 0:2 SSC Napoli
Bayern 0:3 Liverpool FC
Bayern 0:2 Inter Milan
Bayer Leverkusen’s last five games at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 2:1 Leverkusen
Bayern Munich 3:0 Leverkusen
Bayern Munich 1:0 Leverkusen
Bayern Munich 2:1 Leverkusen
Bayern Munich 1:2 Leverkusen