Bundesliga: Huge Test for Leverkusen in Leipzig

RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen’s title credentials are about to be tested to the full on Saturday when the league leaders travel to Leipzig to take on fourth placed Red Bull.

It’s the Bundesliga clash of the weekend and one, which can have a gigantic impact on the title race, and the charge for Champions league places. Die Roten Bullen’s grip on a top four place is loosening as fifth placed Borussia Dortmund climbed to within three points last week and another defeat this weekend will pile on the pressure.   

Xabi Alonso has become one of the most talked about young coaches in world football after a brilliant first half of the campaign and his Bayer Leverkusen are sitting proudly at the top of the table. The latest Bundesliga 2024 betting odds make Alonso’s side clear second favourites to win the 2024 title at a price of 2.68 with FC Bayern the odds on favourites. Meanwhile, Leipzig boss Marco Rose is under pressure to ensure his team remains at Europe’s top table.

Red Bull lost 1-0 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt last week while Leverkusen won by the same score line away to Augsburg and now they are set to meet in a high stakes showdown in front of a packed crowd at the Red Bull Arena. 

Talking Points

Elmas ready to take his Leipzig bow  

Red Bull have been dominating the Bundesliga 2024 news during the transfer window with a high profile departure and a headline grabbing incoming. Striker Timo Werner has gone to Tottenham Hotspur on loan and he made an impressive debut in Spurs’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United last Sunday. The 27 year old was prolific in his first stint with Red Bull but he has struggled for form since his return in 2022.

Earlier in the window Leipzig announced that 24 year old Eljif Elmas had signed from 2023 Italian champions Napoli, and the Macedonian winger made a late substitute appearance in Red Bull’s defeat to Frankfurt. Elmas’ ability to run at defenders and bring other creative players into the game will be a big asset to Rose and he will be keen to link his new player with star striker Lois Openda, who has scored 11 goals already this season. Elmas is equally strong with either foot and can play in an advanced midfield role or on the flank.  

Openda will benefit from Elmas’ arrival; he is currently the third highest goal scorer in the German top flight but on Saturday, he comes up against the meanest defence in the Bundesliga. Advanced midfielder Xavi Simons should also keep his place having scored four goals and made seven assists this season.       

Leverkusen plan for life without Boniface

The league leaders have lost their top scorer Victor Boniface to injury after it was announced he would be out until April. The 23-year-old hitman joined Nigeria for their AFCON campaign but he suffered an injury in training and that means he won’t play for the Super Eagles, or Bayer, for an estimated three months. It’s a serious blow to both club and country and Leverkusen will also be missing defensive pair Odion Koussounou and Edmond Tapsoba during their AFCON campaigns with the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.   

All three were missing for Saturday’s 1-0 win over Augsburg when Die Werkself had to be patient before Exequiel Palacios grabbed a 94^th minute winner to register a 14^th victory of the campaign. Alonso has plenty of creative muscle in his side and he will link up attacking midfielders Florian Wirtz, who has five goals and five assists, and Jonas Hofmann who has four goals and five assists. Wirtz is one of the best young players in the world and Manchester City have been keeping an eye on him.

In Boniface’s absence Czech striker Patrik Schick is more than capable of stepping up. The 27 year old has scored 39 goals in 75 games and 18 in 35 for his country. Schick can count on service from Wirtz and Hofmann, as well as the excellent Alejandro Grimaldo who has made 13 goal contributions since joining the club at the beginning of the season.  

While Bayer have cover up front they will also be keen to keep their impressive defensive record intact. Skipper Lukas Hradecky is the last line of defence while Piero Hincapie and Josip Stanisic will line up in a back four which is protected by defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka. 

FC Bayern are on the hunt in second place and Alonso will use his full squad to launch his attack in the second half of the campaign. It’s going to be a fascinating few weeks.     

History

Red Bull have edged the head-to-head meetings with Leverkusen by seven wins to four and there have been four draws. They met on the opening day of this season and Die Werkself won as Wirtz scored in a five-goal thriller.

Leverkusen have won five on the bounce while Red Bull have won three, drawn one and lost one of the last five games. 

Betting Tip

This game really could go any way with the host marginal favourites at SBOTOP odds of 2.27, Leverkusen at 2.56 and the draw at 3.34. Leverkusen built up some superb momentum before the winter break and they have made a winning start in 2024. I see no real reason why Alonso’s team should falter now.

 

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