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Bayer Leverkusen vs. RB Leipzig
At the end of the 30th matchday of the Bundesliga, we can look forward to a real treat on Sunday evening – Bayer Leverkusen welcome their immediate rivals RB Leipzig. Kick-off is at the BayArena at the somewhat unusual time of 19:30.
Leipzig is currently one point behind Leverkusen in fourth place and could overtake the Werkself with a win in the direct duel on Sunday. A jump to third place would definitely not be undeserved after the last few weeks and months. Under new coach Domenico Tedesco, the team from Saxony has regained its old strength and has only dropped four points in eight games since the 3-2 defeat at FC Bayern on 5 February.
The Werkself, on the other hand, is struggling with injury problems, but can at least rely on the services of top goal scorer Patrik Schick again. Whether we think he can help his team to victory on Sunday, you can read now in our Leverkusen vs Leipzig tip.
Leverkusen – Leipzig Info
– Date & Time: 17.04.2022, 19:30 Uhr
– Venue: Leverkusen, BayArena (up to 30,000 spectators)
– Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 30
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
Werkself Leverkusen have a tricky task five matchdays before the end of the season to somehow still defend their qualification for the Champions League despite the serious absences. They are currently a solid four points ahead of fifth-placed Freiburg, which should normally be enough to keep them in the top four after 34 matchdays. In the 0-0 draw in Bochum, however, it was evident that the offensive is definitely struggling with the many absences.
Werkself with tough opponents ahead
In addition, the Werkself’s remaining programme is really tough. After the home game against Leipzig, Bayer will travel to Greuther Fürth, who are almost certain to be relegated, before the last three matchdays will be a real showdown. First, Schick & Co. host Eintracht in Frankfurt before going to Hoffenheim, currently sixth in the table, on matchday 33. At the end of the season, Gerard Seoane’s team will play host to SC Freiburg – perhaps even in a direct duel for the Champions League.
First, however, all eyes are on Leipzig and, statistically speaking, things don’t look too good for the Werkself there. Bayer Leverkusen have only won two of their eleven Bundesliga duels with RB Leipzig (18%). Historically, Leverkusen only have a lower win rate against Dynamo Dresden (one win in eight duels). However, the first leg was won 1:3 away from home.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
– 52 points from 29 matches
– Last played 0:0 against Bochum
– 7 points from last 3 games
– Only 3 goals conceded in last 6 matches
Leipzig form & balance check
RB Leipzig have been able to confirm their strong form of the past weeks and months again in the last two games. In the Bundesliga, they recorded their second win in a row after the spectacular 1:4 away win in Dortmund last weekend against Hoffenheim (3:0). In the Europa League, the Saxons came from 1:1 down in the first leg to win 0:2 in Bergamo and, just like Frankfurt’s Eintracht, secured their ticket to the semi-finals of the competition.
Tedesco brought the turnaround
There is no doubt that coach Domenico Tedesco played a decisive role in the turnaround. In the twelve second-round games, his team has already scored significantly more points (29) than in the entire first half of the season (22) and also has the best second-round record in Leipzig’s young Bundesliga history. Whether or not the Bullen will be able to attack the very top in the coming season will depend heavily on the transfer activities in the summer. If key players such as Nkunku or Olmo can be retained, the talented team can be expected to achieve anything in the coming season.
Leipzig facts & analysis
– 51 points from 29 games
– Last win 3:0 against Hoffenheim
– Best second half in the young history of the Bundesliga
– Lost only 2 of 11 duels with Leverkusen (including the first leg)
Predicted line-up – last update on 15 April 2022
The hosts’ injury worries continue to loom large. Besides top talent Wirtz, Bellarabi, Fosu-Mensah, Frimpong and Adli are currently out. Instead of Aranguiz, Palacios could also play in the defensive midfield. Apart from that, there should be no surprises in the starting eleven.
RB’s starting eleven is difficult to predict after advancing in the Europa League. We go with the eleven seen above, but Simakan, Henrichs, Olmo, Halstenberg, Silva and Szoboszlai are also realistic options. The only one missing is Haidara (medial ligament injury).
Leverkusen – Leipzig direct comparison & Statistics
Leipzig have won five of their eleven encounters so far. Twice the Werkself won, four times the teams parted with a draw. Most recently, three 1-1 draws in a row were followed by a 1-0 home win for RB before Leverkusen won the first leg 1:3 at the Red Bull Arena. However, two of the three goalscorers at the time (Wirtz and Frimpong) will be absent through injury on Sunday.
– The average of goals scored in a clash between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig is 2.2.
– Bayer Leverkusen: Kerem Demirbay has collected the most yellow cards (10). At RB Leipzig it is Josko Gvardiol (5).
– The comparisons between the two clubs last season: 1-1 (home to Bayer Leverkusen) and 1-0 (home to RB Leipzig).
– Florian Wirtz has the most assists on goal for Bayer Leverkusen with 11 assists. For RB Leipzig, Christopher Nkunku (12) is in front.
