Bundesliga: Leverkusen Can’t Rest on Their Laurels Against Gladbach

Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Monchengladbach

Bayer Leverkusen are still at the top of the Bundesliga table halfway through the 2023-24 season. But the job is far from over, so it’s imperative that they’ll be able to accumulate more positive Bundesliga 2024 results in the next few weeks.

After a five-goal thriller against RB Leipzig last Sunday, Borussia Monchengladbach are next up for Bayer Leverkusen, who just came off a loss against Augsburg on Monday.

Borussia Monchengladbach are currently 12^th in the German top-flight standings. However, a win here against the table leaders would instantly put them back inside the Top 10.

And another backdrop of this match is Gerardo Seoane’s return to BayArena, where he got his first big coaching break, although his sacking a few years ago still leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.

Talking Points

Injuries piling up for Bayer Leverkusen

Since the turn of the year, Bayer Leverkusen have had its share of absentees, which presents them with a huge challenge to their title hopes. If they’re able to weather the storm, there’s no doubt that they’ll deserve to be called champions, losing the “Neverkusen” tag in the process.

Top scorer Victor Boniface is already out until April due to a groin injury, and adding to their woes is their influential midfielder, Exequiel Palacios, who limped off against RB Leipzig and is listed day-to-day.

Meanwhile, centre-back Jonathan Tah will be suspended for this weekend after getting another yellow card against the Red Bulls. Palacios and Tah’s absence means that Robert Andrich will likely take his place in centre-half, while Gustavo Puerta might get his chance to start in the middle.

It’s not all bad for Die Werkself, though, as Jeremie Frimpong has been back in training this week after he sustained a knock last time out. The Dutch wing-back is one of their most important players, having recorded six goals and six assists this season.

Pefok finding form at Borussia Monchengladbach

With Tomas Cvancara sidelined for a few weeks due to an ankle injury, Jordan Pefok has been given the chance to prove his worth since joining the Foals from Union Berlin via loan last summer.

And in his last two appearances (one off the bench and one as a starter), the American international has found the back of the net twice to take his season haul to four goals, which is already equal to his tally at Union Berlin last year.

Pefok should join Alassane Plea up front, and the latter currently leads the team in scoring with seven goals this season.

In other news, Julian Weigl is set to make his return in midfield after serving his suspension, replacing Rocco Reitz, while Maximilian Wober is fighting against time to be fully fit because he is dealing with an illness.

Should the Leeds United loanee make it, Marvin Friedrich might return to the bench as the backup centre-back.

History

Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach have already met during the second matchday of the 2023-24 season. Die Werkself came away 3-0 winners in the said contest, as Victor Boniface (brace) and Jonathan Tah found the back of the net.

Die Werkself have won seven of their last eight Bundesliga matches against the Foals (D1), although their last encounter at the BayArena in May 2023 ended in a 2-2 draw.

Xabi Alonso’s men are the only team in Europe’s top five leagues that has yet to lose a single match in all competitions so far this term (W24, D3), already matching Werder Bremen’s record during the 2003-04 season. They only need five more to match Bayern Munich’s run of 32 straight games from December 2019 to September 2020.

Borussia Monchengladbach have won just one of their last 16 Bundesliga away matches, including a five-game winless run today (D1, L4).

Betting Tip

The Bundesliga 2024 odds are lopsided towards Bayer Leverkusen, as the table leaders are priced at 1.26 to win, whereas Borussia Monchengladbach are 7.60 underdogs, and a draw is at 5.50 odds in the 1X2 market.

Other than going for another victory for Die Werkself, SBOTOP football fans can also expect another high-scoring performance from the second-best offence in the league, making bets such as Over 3.75 at 2.29 and Total Goal 4-6 at 2.27 viable alternatives.

Furthermore, a Correct Score of 3-0 in favour of Bayer Leverkusen – the result of their reverse fixture earlier this season – is being offered at 8.80. But if you fancy a smash-and-grab win for Borussia Monchengladbach, then take a look at Correct Score 1-0, which has a whopping price of 32.00.

 

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