Ace Football previews the upcoming Bundesliga clash between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, while offering the latest betting tips, odds, and team news.
(Unibet odds above – Leverkusen win/Draw/Leipzig win)
Probably the biggest clash in this weekend’s Bundesliga will be between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon at the BayArena.
The two teams, who each finished inside the top 5 last season, have experienced mixed starts to the new campaign. Leverkusen, for example, had to settle for a goalless stalemate at Wolfsburg in their opening game. While Leipzig answered their doubters by cruising to a comfortable 3-1 win over Mainz 05.
The visitors also have a decent away record, although Leverkusen have been solid at home in 2020; meaning anything could happen between the German giants, who drew 1-1 in both their corresponding fixtures last season.
Bayer Leverkusen Form & Stats
It’s fair to say that Leverkusen’s goalless draw at Wolfsburg wasn’t the plan at all for their Bundesliga opener. They dominated possession, but couldn’t translate their ball dominance into chances. Only seven shots came their way in the end at the Volkswagen Arena, with just three on target.
Die Werkself have clearly suffered upon losing key attackers such as Kai Havertz and Kevin Volland, who left for Chelsea and AS Monaco respectively.
The pressure, therefore, will be on summer signing Patrik Schick, who arrived from AS Roma in a €26.5m deal, to supply the goals. The Czech striker is no stranger to Bundesliga football either, having scored 10 goals in 22 outings on loan at Leipzig last season.
Despite boasting strong home form in recent fixtures, however, Leverkusen’s unfavorable record against Leipzig could come back to haunt them (P8 W1 D3 L4).
Key Team Stats
- Won just one of last eight league games against Leipzig (W1 D3 L4).
- Conceded in all their last league league games against Leipzig.
- Haven’t won any of their home league games against Leipzig (D2 L2).
- Under 2.5 goals scored in last three league games.
- Saturday afternoon will be their 1,400th game in the German top-flight.
RB Leipzig Form & Stats
The big question on how Leipzig would cope without club-record goalscorer Timo Werner, or even Schick for that matter, was answered last weekend through a convincing 3-1 home win over Mainz in their Bundesliga opener.
Two first-half goals, courtesy of an Emil Forsberg penalty and Yussuf Poulsen’s effort, set the Red Bulls on their way. Despite Jean-Philippe Mateta pecking one back for Mainz in the second-half, Amadou Haidara secured victory with another goal.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side have now lost just one of their last 16 games in the Bundesliga. An impressive record indeed, especially as many wrote them off in pre-season. Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists, however, will now face their biggest challenge to date in Leverkusen.
This clash will give us a true indication of where Leipzig truly stand in the post-Werner era and whether another title challenge is possible.
Key Team Stats
- Lost just one of their last eight league games against Leverkusen, and unbeaten in last four.
- Have won last four away league games.
- Been ahead at half-time and full-time in last four away league games.
- Scored two or more goals in last four away league games.
Team News
Bayer Leverkusen: Paulinho (injured); Leon Bailey (doubt).
RB Leipzig: Marcel Sabitzer (injured); Ibrahima Konate, Josep Martinez, & Konrad Laimer (All doubts).
Head-To-Head Record
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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