Bundesliga Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich will take on Jupp Heynckes’ Bayer Leverkusen in a crucial Bundesliga clash at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Sunday, April 17. The reverse fixture played at the BayArena in Leverkusen ended in a 1-1 draw with Mario Gomez and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arturo-Vidal-c6760 scoring
the goals.
Bayern Munich
The Munich giants have had a dismal season this term after winning the domestic double and reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League last campaign. The Bavarians have been knocked out of Champions League and the German Cup this season and are also
out of the title race in the German League.
Die Bayern are currently in fourth place on the Bundesliga table with 52 points, 14 points behind the leaders Borussia Dortmund. Bayern are in danger of not playing in next year’s Champions League. The Munich giants will have to finish in the third place,
which is currently occupied by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hannover-96-c39492, to play in the qualifying round of the competition.
Bayer Leverkusen
The Werkself, along with Borussia Dortmund, have been a real force this season, taking the German League by storm. Jupp Heynckes’ side is firmly placed second on the standings table with 61 points, five points behind Dortmund with five games to go in the
season.
Leverkusen are still in contention for the Bundesliga title and have to beat the Munich side in order to put pressure on league leaders, Borussia Dortmund. The club have won all of the last five games played in the League and have conceded only once in the
process.
Team News
Bayern Munich
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bastian-Schweinsteiger-c7374 and Franck Ribery are both doubtful. Schweinsteiger suffered an ankle injury in training while Ribery is out with a thigh injury.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Anatoliy-Tymoshchuk-c5539 are expected to start the match for the hosts.
Bayer Leverkusen
The away side have no major injury problems and are expected to put in a strong line-up for Sunday’s clash. Stefan Kiessling will start as the lone striker with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Simon-Rolfes-c33564 will partner
Vidal in the centre of the park.
Players to watch
Mario Gomez
The former Stuttgart striker is having a brilliant season with the Bavarian giants. The German International has scored 30 goals in a total of 40 appearances for Die Bayern this term. The forward would be expecting to put in another solid performance to
lead his side to victory.
Michael Ballack
The former Bayern Munich has been one of the key players for Leverkusen this season and his performances have only improved for the Werkself. He will face his former club in a vital encounter, which his team needs to win in order to keep the League chase
on.
Prediction
Even though Bayern have had a mixed season, their home form has been impressive. The Bavarians are expected to beat their rivals 1-0 in a tough encounter.
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