German Bundesliga
2024-08-31 - Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football; Germany: Bundesliga
Bay Arena – Leverkusen
Saturday, 31st August 2024 - kickoff 18:30 CET
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s last-gasp win over Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend was their 35th straight unbeaten game in the Bundesliga. If they remain unbeaten in this match, they will become the second-best team of all time, leveling Hamburger SV’s previous unbeaten streak of 36 games in the Bundesliga.
However, this game will be a serious test, and Bayer Leverkusen did not look dominant in their midweek cup game against the fourth-tier side of Carl Zeiss Jena. A 0-1 win saw them go through, but it was far from a convincing performance. Perhaps they were saving themselves for this match.
There will be several changes in the team from the cup game. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is back at the goal after missing the cup game with illness. Star players Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Alex Grimaldo all entered as substitutes in the cup game but will surely start in this match. The same applies to striker Victor Boniface, who was suspended for the cup match.
All of Bayer Leverkusen’s last five Bundesliga games ended with three or more goals scored, and this should be a similar game. Also, Bayer Leverkusen has scored at least twice in 12 of their most recent 12 games.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig’s unbeaten Bundesliga run now stands at 12 games after they won 1-0 against Vfl Bochum last weekend.
Team captain and defensive leader Willi Orban got a red card in the opening game of the season and is suspended for this game. Lukas Klostermann is his most likely replacement, or perhaps coach Marco Rose will give a chance to the latest signing, Arthur Vermereen, who came from Atletico Madrid last week.
Interestingly, RB Leipzig has not been the same without Orban in the line-up. Without him, RB Leipzig has failed to win any of their last four Bundesliga matches, losing three times and conceding ten goals.
The Betting Verdict
Bayer Leverkusen has defeated RB Leipzig four times in their last six Bundesliga duels, including in each of their previous three. Their last four duels produced 14 goals, and I believe we will see goals in both nets here.
However, I would stick with the German title holders, backing Bayer Leverkusen to win the game at good odds.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 RB Leipzig
