Bundesliga: Are We in for Another Leverkusen Magic?

Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig

Two top contenders to lift the Meisterschale will face each other on Sunday as defending champions Bayer Leverkusen host RB Leipzig at the BayArena.

Both sides have won their Bundesliga curtain-raisers and are looking to continue their strong starts to the season on Matchweek 2. Die Werkself have started the new campaign the same way they left—winning. Well, not without making their fans feel their hearts racing for 90 minutes.

Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten crew have now gone 43 straight matches unbeaten (on the domestic level) and will look to make it 44 against Die Roten Bullen—themselves, holding a 12-match winning streak in the league, with only Leverkusen doing better.

Will an unbeaten streak be snapped over the weekend? Or could these Bundesliga titans have nothing to separate between them?

SBOTOP may just have the answers you’re looking for.

 

Talking Points

Leverkusen’s clutch gene is demoralising

Before Xabi Alonso took Bayer Leverkusen to the highest of highs, the club were given the nickname ‘Neverkusen’ for often finishing as runners-up.

And I think that epithet is well and truly extinct.

Apart from losing in the Europa League final to Atalanta, Bayer were unplayable throughout the season, registering wins whilst displaying beautiful football.

For those thinking that they were just a flash in a pan and one-season wonders, well, prepare yourselves for a long year ahead.

One of their best traits last time around was being Bundesliga’s comeback kings; they’ve shown it time and time again. And it seems winning matches at the death is here to stay.

In the Super Cup final against Stuttgart, Die Werkself scored first after Victor Boniface tapped in Edmond Tapsoba’s header. Their lead did not last long as Stuttgart found an equaliser four minutes later, with Enzo Millot firing through a left-footed shot from Maximilian Mittelstadt.

Leverkusen’s streak was thought to come to an end after Martin Terrier was sent off in the first half, as they found themselves down 10 men and a goal.

But as everyone had seen last season, Bayer’s fate isn’t sealed, not until the referee blows his whistle.

Patrick Schick was picked out perfectly by Alex Grimaldo in the 88^th minute after some patient build-up play. The match went to penalties, which Bayer eventually won after Katompa Mvumpa’s missed Stuttgart’s final attempt.

Their Bundesliga debut pretty much went the same way, with Florian Wirtz saving Bayer with a last-gasp winner against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Leverkusen were 0-2 up at the start—courtesy of Granit Xhaka and Wirtz—but soon found themselves level pegging with a few ticks left on the clock.

Added time went forever, and in the 111^th minute, a foul resulting in a penalty was awarded to Bayer. Wirtz stepped up, had his shot saved by Jonas Omlin, but rebounded to give the finishing touches on yet another late winner.

 

Can Leipzig win without their captain?

Leipzig have won their Bundesliga opener, along with a first-round outing in the DFB-Pokal.

Their new signing, Antonio Nusa, has found the back of the net in both games.

However, they face an uphill battle against the defending champions after team captain Willi Orban is set to serve his two-match suspension, starting with the club’s next game against Leverkusen.

The centre-back was given a red card against Bochum, as the 31-year-old defender fouled Myron Boadu in the 85^th minute.

According to Bundesliga 2024 news, head coach Marco Rose tried to have the suspension waived, saying that the slow-motion video showed that Orban made contact with the ball before the foul.

Die Roten Bullen have also failed to win their last four matches without Orban (D1, L3).

 

History

Despite dominating Germany last season, Leipzig were the one team that almost ended their winning run. In fact, they almost halted it right before it started.

They were Leverkusen’s first opponents, where they lost 3-2. In the second time they met, Leipzig were leading 2-1 at home before Jonathan Tah equalised in the 63^rd minute.

The match was destined to end in a stalemate before Leverkusen’s late-game brilliance saved them again as Piero Hincapie sealed the winner in added time.

 

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2024 odds have Leverkusen as the obvious favourites for this one, whilst Leipzig are priced at 3.72, and a draw is at 3.80. 

Seeing how close their matches were last year and how Leverkusen started this year in a rocky manner, you would think that Leipzig can crack the seemingly unbreakable armour of Bayer.

Well, you may be right, and I wouldn’t hold it against you as Leipzig have some good value here.

But the safest bet remains on banking the home side to win. Not any home side, but the best in Germany. You would be wise to do so.  

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.