In what could prove to be a crucial match in the Bundesliga title race, champions Bayer Leverkusen travel to Allianz Arena on Saturday where they will face Bayern Munich.
The hosts have started life under manager Vincent Kompany well and are currently first with 12 points from four league games, while the visitors are second with nine points and have won three of their four top-flight matches.
Match preview
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If there were doubts about whether Kompany could compete for the title in his first season in charge, they seem to have at least been eased after Bayern's strong start to the 2024-25 campaign.
The Bavarians have won all six of their competitive matches this term, including a 5-0 victory against Werder Bremen last time out on September 21.
Michael Olise scored twice and registered two assists, while Harry Kane continued his fine form by scoring once and assisting twice.
In their previous game, Bayern beat Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 on September 17, a match in which Kane scored four times and overtook Wayne Rooney as the leading English goalscorer in Champions League history.
Kompany's side have scored 20 times in their last three competitive games and 29 goals in their six games so far this campaign.
Interestingly, Bayern's tally of 16 Bundesliga goals is the most in the division but is nearly six more than their expected goals figure, and they have only produced the fourth most big chances of the 18 top-flight teams.
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Opponents Bayer Leverkusen have had a mixed season so far in terms of performance, as while they have won six of their seven competitive games, they have conceded 11 times already.
Wolfsburg managed to score three times against Xabi Alonso's team last time out on September 22, and his side only won thanks to a 93rd-minute winner from Victor Boniface.
Leverkusen conceded an average of 0.71 goals per game in the Bundesliga last season, but are conceding at a rate of 2.25 per game this term.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka claimed that his team's poor defensive outings in 2024-25 have not been because of a systematic weakness, but rather because they have not been aggressive enough without the ball and are allowing opponents too much space to play into.
Alonso spoke similarly after his side's win against Wolfsburg and said that his team's play is far too hectic in defence and in attack.
Leverkusen come into the clash having won 31, drawn six and lost just one of their last 38 league games, as well as having won 16 and drawn three of their 19 most recent away matches.
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Team News
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Bayern Munich will be without defenders Hiroki Ito and Josip Stanisic until October and November respectively, while right-back Sacha Boey is not scheduled to come back until December.
Forward Arijon Ibrahimovic should return early next month and goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is likely to be unavailable for another few days.
Manuel Neuer is set to reclaim his spot in goal, and he may be shielded by a defence of Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae and Alphonso Davies.
Joshua Kimmich has been partnered in midfield by Aleksandar Pavlovic for the last two games, and Kompany may not wish to disrupt the duo's rhythm by introducing a new partner for either.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen have no injury concerns and Alonso should be able to choose from a healthy squad.
Xhaka is certain to start in midfield but given the defensive frailty of the team in recent weeks, it would not be surprising if his partner Aleix Garcia dropped out of the XI and was replaced by Exequiel Palacios.
Wing-back Jeremie Frimpong and striker Boniface will also come back into the XI on Saturday for Nordi Mukiele and Patrik Schick respectively.
Attacker Florian Wirtz has scored four times in his last three matches, and Alonso will hope the German can continue his strong form for Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface
We say: Bayern Munich 4-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern have been incredible from an offensive perspective this season, and given Leverkusen's defensive vulnerability this term, they could plausibly create numerous goalscoring opportunities.
Alonso's side have been strong offensively themselves, but while the likes of Wirtz and Boniface may score, it is difficult to see how they can win if Bayern are as strong offensively on Saturday as they have been in recent weeks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
