Leverkusen Out to Maintain Their Bundesliga Lead

Bayer Leverkusen vs Eintracht Frankfurt

They’ve got the lead of the Bundesliga and are in a position they surely would have taken at the start of the season and with Christmas on the horizon.

Certainly, few were expecting Bayer Leverkusen to be top at this stage.

However, this SBOTOP writer has some concerns that an opportunity may have been missed in recent weeks.

That may seem harsh given their league record this term stands at 11 victories, three draws, no defeats, and a fair few Bundesliga 2023 highlights to boot.

They also hold a four-point lead over reigning champions, the dominant force in German football, Bayern Munich, albeit having played a match more.

Yet I can’t help but feel recent draws against Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart (both in the top five) may prove costly in the long-term.

Talking Points

That is because Bayern are so relentless and will no doubt now embark on a string of domestic wins following their 5-1 reverse at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ironically, they are the next opponents for Xabi Alonso’s table-topping team as they aim to keep the Bundesliga’s only undefeated record alive.

Leverkusen have never won the Bundesliga, and their best finish is being the runner-up on five occasions. Indeed, their last trophy was 30 years ago – the 1993 German Cup.

They last led the league after 11 games in 2020-21 under Peter Bosz before their form nosedived after Christmas and they finished sixth.

This has led the club to acquire the nickname “Neverkusen” among German football fans. But this time, with the winning mentality brought by Alonso, things feel different.

No doubt on Sunday he will name a strong starting XI featuring the likes of Victor Boniface, Jeremie Frimpong, Alejandro Grimaldo, and Florian Wirtz. It will be interesting to see whether Jonas Hofmann, who has five goals and five assists to his name this term, or Amine Adli, who was preferred over the Germany international against Stuttgart, is recalled.

Although he is unlikely to start, Patrik Schick’s return to availability is another boost, and he may well have an impact from the bench.

To highlight how well Leverkusen are faring, Boniface leads the Leverkusen charts for both goals (8) and assists (6).

Only three players have ever had a hand in more goals from their first 14 (or fewer) Bundesliga appearances: Diego, Erling Haaland (both 15), and Harry Kane (23) – so he’s in exalted company.

The only previous seasons where Leverkusen were unbeaten after 14 games were 2009/10 under Jupp Heynckes and 2001/02 under the innovative Klaus Toppmöller, the father of Eintracht coach Dino.

Their trip to the BayArena comes off the back of a 2-0 Europa League reverse at Aberdeen where they had already qualified for the knockout stages and that emphatic success over Bayern. 

After four defeats in a row in all competitions, few would have expected that and especially not in the manner they ultimately did as they strolled to a 5-1 victory.

They will be confident they can get something from the encounter, although Toppmöller will be hampered by the absence of some key players.

Ellyes Shkiri is back in individual training, but this game may will come too soon, while Omar Marmoush, who has 12 goals in all competitions, will be unavailable due to suspension. Kristijan Jakić and Sebastian Rode are also set to be on the sidelines.

Could that be enough to give Leverkusen the edge?

History

Leverkusen have the edge with 19 victories compared to Frankfurt’s 14 in recent history. A further three matches have ended all square.

This contest last season went the way of Leverkusen who ran out 3-1 winners, courtesy of goals from Amine Adli, Moussa Diaby, and Sardar Azmoun, while Djibril Sow replied for the visitors.

Frankfurt handed out a 5-1 drubbing on their own turf last term, though, as Randal Kolo Muani (who made my ream of the season), Jesper Lindstrom, Daichi Kamada (two), and Lucas Alario found the net.

Piero Hincapie had briefly drawn Leverkusen level.

Frankfurt have only won on three occasions at Leverkusen and last earned a point there in December 2014.

In fact, Die Werkself have won their last eight Bundesliga home meetings with Frankfurt, 11 of the last 13, and 23 out of 38 all told. There is no other team Bayer have beaten so often at home in the top-flight.

This fixture has never seen a goalless draw in 76 renditions, which is the most of any match-up in Bundesliga history without a 0-0 draw.

Betting Tip

If they can put five past the champions, then Frankfurt can feel confident about going to the leaders.

Yet lightning doesn’t always strike twice and, with home advantage, I expect Leverkusen to edge this.

The leaders are available to tip First Half 1X2 @ 1.34, First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.20, 1X2 @ 1.86 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.06 with the Bundesliga 2023 betting odds.

Frankfurt are priced First Half 1X2 @ 5.30, First Half Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.02, 1X2 @ 6.80, and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.44.

Again, if lightning is to strike twice, Correct Score will earn you a pay day of @ 10.50 if the scoreline from the corresponding game last term is repeated at 3-1.

The draw @ 4.75 offers excellent value, as do goal options such as Over 3.50 @ 2.31, Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.92, 4-6 @ 2.50, and 2-3 @ 2.17 which is my recommended tip.

 

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