Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen: Preview, predictions and fixtures
In 2024/25 Bundesliga The season begins on Friday night as champions Bayer Leverkusen begin their title defense with a trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Xabi Alonso's side went unbeaten in all domestic competitions last season to claim the Meisterschale, which also ensured a return to the Champions League.
Upcoming rivals Gladbach have dropped down the league table every season since finishing fourth in 2020/21, with their attempt at a 14th time in the worst place in 13 years.
Here it is 90 min a preview of Friday night's meeting.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Borussia Monchengladbach |
Bayer Leverkusen |
|---|---|
|
Erzgebirge Aue 1-3 Borussia Monchengladbach – 17/08/24 |
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Stuttgart (4-3p) – 17/08/24 |
|
Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Strasbourg – 10/08/24 |
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Real Betis (3-1p) – 10/08/24 |
|
Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Strasbourg – 10/08/24 |
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 07/08/24 |
|
Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 Holstein Kiel – 29/07/24 |
Lens 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen – 03/08/24 |
|
Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 Fortuna Sittard – 25/07/24 |
RW Essen 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen – 26/07/24 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Sky Go UK, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Mix |
|
United States |
fuboTV, ESPN+, ESPN App, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes |
|
Canada |
DAZN Canada |
Gladbach have attempted to move quickly in the summer transfer window as they look to move on from last season's disappointment, bringing in striker Tim Kleindienst and midfielder Kevin Stoger. Both could get a start on opening weekend.
Defender Nico Elvedi is hoping to make a timely recovery from a foot injury, while Robin Hack could return to the team after suffering an illness.
Reserve goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky will not return to the matchday squad until October with a knee problem and youngster Yvandro Borges Sanches has an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Borussia Monchengladbach predicted to face Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1): Omlin; Scally, Ikatura, Elvedi, Netz; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Stoger, Plea; Kleindienst.
Leverkusen managed to keep the core of their good team, most of whom played in the DFL-Supercup success against Stuttgart. The game ended 1-1 but Xabi Alonso won on penalties.
Argentina international Exequiel Palacios continues his recovery from knee surgery but the visitors have a suitable squad for this Rhine derby.
Florian Wirtz, Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong all came off the bench in the Supercup but should start the XI, while striker Victor Boniface is available despite a one-match ban and a €25,000 fine for misconduct at the weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted to face Borussia Monchengladbach (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface.
Leverkusen won the hearts and minds of many neutrals last season by ending Bayern Munich's reign in the Bundesliga, but Alonso will not want them to focus on Vincent Kompany's defense this time around.
Instead, the reigning champions will be hungry to get an early start on their title defense on Friday night. Arsenal's heavy pre-season defeat showed they are not in their unstoppable rhythm yet, but they should have more than enough to pick up three points at Gladbach to start the campaign.
Prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
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