Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win & Both groups to attain
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Simply seeking to widen their buffer on the prime of the Bundesliga desk, a high-flying Bayer Leverkusen will welcome Borussia Mönchengladbach to the BayArena.
Bayer Leverkusen
Starting with the hosts, solely persevering with to interrupt a string of data this season, Bayer Leverkusen have definitely cemented their spot as one in every of Europe’s shock packages. Last seen placing in one other beautiful show as they snatched a last-gasp 3-2 victory away at RB Leipzig, Xabi Alonso’s facet have rightfully obtained a string of plaudits from throughout the continent. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a well-known seven-point buffer over defending champions Bayern Munich, the one-time Liverpool midfielder finds his facet sat within the driving seat to get their arms on a primary Bundesliga crown since 2011. Gaining a fearsome popularity for his or her free-scoring performances within the last third, Bayer Leverkusen are but to undergo a single defeat from any of their first 18 Bundesliga showdowns this season. Breezing their strategy to a Europa League knockout stage ticket final month, Alonso’s record-breaking squad needs to be smelling a golden alternative right here.
Team News
Dealing with what seems to be a long-term groin harm and set for a prolonged stint on the sidelines, attacking talisman Victor Boniface is not going to function right here. Likewise, all respectably that includes at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, the trio of Amine Adli, Odilon Kossounou and Edmond Tapsoba will miss out on Saturday night.
Bagging six strikes in his earlier eight appearances throughout all competitions, 27-year-old Patrik Schick will spearhead Leverkusen’s cost this weekend. Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka will as soon as once more be partnered with Exequiel Palacios on the coronary heart of Alonso’s midfield right here.
Borussia Monchengladbach
As for the guests, making a right away return to dropping methods final week as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at dwelling towards Augsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach have continued to battle with their consistency this season. Heading into Germany’s festive break with one other 2-1 defeat away at Eintracht Frankfurt, Gerardo Seoane’s facet have claimed only a single win from any of their earlier 5 Bundesliga appearances – a run that stems again to December 2nd. Almost sat in top-flight limbo, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss shall be bracing himself for a heavyweight problem towards his former employers. Hit with a routine 3-0 drumming once they welcomed the runaway leaders to city again on August twenty sixth, it also needs to be highlighted that Gladbach have collected only a single level from any of their final 5 Bundesliga showdowns away from Borussia-Park. Shipping 15 strikes on that five-match winless run on the street, Seoane’s inconstant squad couldn’t have requested for a harder process this weekend.
Team News
Away with Japan at this month’s Asia Cup, Borussia Monchengladbach shall be with the companies of 26-year-old defender Ko Itakura on Saturday night. Likewise, all nonetheless coping with respective harm points, Seoane’s males may also be unable to name upon the likes of Hannes Wolf, Lukas Ullrich, Jonas Omlin and Tomas Cvancara.
However, serving a one-match suspension towards Augsburg final week, one-time Borussia Dortmund star Julian Weigl will make a full return right here. Bagging back-to-back Bundesliga strikes since opening the New Year, USA worldwide Jordan Siebatcheu will lead Gladbach’s cost this weekend.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach met for his or her reverse Bundesliga assembly on August twenty sixth, Saturday’s hosts collected a 3-0 romp at Borussia-Park.
- Alonso’s record-breaking squad are unbeaten in all of their first 18 Bundesliga appearances this season.
- Likewise, Leverkusen have gained all of their final 5 appearances throughout all competitions by an mixture rating of 16-3.
- Borussia Monchengladbach have collected only a single win from any of their earlier 5 Bundesliga appearances.
- Saturday’s friends have additionally registered only a single level from their final 5 Bundesliga away fixtures.
Conclusion
Unbeaten in all of their first 18 Bundesliga appearances this season and receiving a string of public reward, Bayer Leverkusen shall be smelling the prospect to make one other Bundesliga assertion right here. Last seen snatching a dramatic 3-2 victory away at RB Leipzig, Alonso’s record-breaking squad shall be relishing a return to the BayArena on Saturday night. Storming their strategy to a 3-0 romp once they met Borussia Monchengladbach again on August twenty sixth, we predict an analogous consequence right here.
Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win & Both groups to attain
Best Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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