High-flying Bayer Leverkusen welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to the BayArena, hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table as they bid to win the Bundesliga for the first time in their history.
- Both Teams to Score @ 6/10 with Paddy Power
- Bayer Leverkusen to win @ 2/9 with Paddy Power
- Over 2.5 goals @ 2/5 with Bet365
Date: 27/01/24
Kick-off time: 17:30
Venue: BayArena
It is a huge game in the Bundesliga this weekend as Borussia Monchengladbach visit Bayer Leverkusen. Both sides have had very contrasting seasons so far, and the result could have big implications at either end of the table.
Leverkusen sit top, seven points clear of Bayern Munich in second, and 14 ahead of Stuttgart in third, though Bayern do have a game in hand. Monchengladbach, in contrast, have had a very underwhelming campaign, currently occupying 12th place, but cautiously looking over their shoulder at the teams below them.
A win for Xabi Alonso’s side would further tighten their grip at the summit, and take them one step closer to that elusive first title. A loss would open the door for Bayern to pounce, as they have done so on many occasions before.
Their visitors will also be desperate to pick up three points as they look to create a comfortable gap between themselves and the bottom three. They are nine points above Mainz in 17th, but have played a game more. Union Berlin, in 16th, are six points behind Monchengladbach but have two games in hand.
Only Bayern Munich have scored more goals than Bayer Leverkusen, though they have only scored two less with 50. With just 14 goals conceded, they boast the league’s meanest defence, which highlights their dominance in all areas of the pitch. Monchengladbach actually possesses the second worst defence, their 38 goals conceded only better than bottom-side Darmstadt. As a result, they will find it very difficult to stop their hosts’ potent attack.
Victor Boniface leads the way with 14 goals in all competitions, but is currently sidelined with an injury. However, Alonso can turn to a number of other players to carry the offensive load. From left wing-back, Alex Grimaldo has scored seven Bundesliga goals, whilst Jeremie Frimpong, Jonas Hoffman and Florian Wirtz all contributing five each. Grimaldo has also provided eight assists. In fact, Leverkusen players occupy five of the top 10 assisters in the league this season.
Monchengladbach will turn to Alassane Plea and Franck Honorat to try and break down this Leverkusen defence. Plea has scored seven goals and Honorat has provided six assists. Though defensively they have been struggling, their 35 goals scored is considerably better than the teams around them. Only the top five teams in the table have scored more.
In 30 head-to-head meetings, there is not much to split the two sides. Leverkusen have come out on top 15 times, whilst Monchengladbach have won on 10 occasions. The last meeting between the pair came at the beginning of the season in late August, with Leverkusen comfortably winning 3-0. On that day, Boniface scored a brace in addition to a Jonathan Tah goal. Leverkusen have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, winning four of the last five matchups with the other ending in a 2-2 draw.
Bundesliga 
