Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Ross Jackson
The Bundesliga’s two-month hiatus has done little to disrupt Bayern Munich’s title tilt.
The Bavarians have won all four of their games since the league’s return, notching 13 goals in the process. Saturday sees Hans-Dieter Flick’s men face a trip to Champions League hopefuls Bayer Leverkusen, with the home side themselves enjoying a prosperous run of form.
Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga with a healthy seven-point cushion over second placed Borussia Dortmund. Flick’s men have been in scintillating form since the turn of the year, drawing just one of their 13 competitive fixtures and winning the rest.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen prepare to host the champions with only goal difference separating them from a place in the lucrative Champions League spots. Peter Bosz’s men had looked set for a season of mid-table mediocrity, but 13 wins from their last 16 games have seen them transform their campaign - and they now look well set for a charge at the top four.
How to Watch on TV?
When is Kick-Off?: Saturday 6 June
What Time is Kick-Off?: 14:30 (BST)
Where is it Played?: BayArena
TV Channel/Live Stream?: BT Sport 1
Team News
Bosz can boast almost full bill of health ahead of the visit of the champions, with German striker Kevin Volland the only absentee. The recent form of 20-year-old wonderkid Kai Havertz has gone some way to softening the blow of Volland’s injury.
For the away side, Thiago Alcântara remains a doubt having sat out the previous three fixtures. The Spain international returned to full training earlier this week but it remains to be seen whether Saturday’s clash will come too soon for his return.
Lucas Hernandez is also a doubt having been replaced at half time in Bayern’s 5-0 thrashing of Fortuna Düsseldorf last weekend. Jérôme Boateng looks sets to be restored to the starting XI in place of the Frenchman.
Meanwhile, Philippe Coutinho and Corentin Tolisso are also expected to miss the trip.
Predicted Lineups
Leverkusen: Hradecky; Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Dragović, Wendell; Aranguiz, Demirbay; Bellarabi, Havertz, Bailey
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka, Coman, Müller, Gnabry; Lewandowski.
Head-to-Head Record
Unsurprisingly, it’s the Bavarians who hold the bragging rights in this one - having emerged victorious in 28 of the pair’s 46 meetings.
Despite Leverkusen’s poor record against the champions, Saturday’s clash affords them the chance to record the double over Flick’s side, having left the Allianz Arena with all three points in November. Leon Bailey’s first half double stunned the home crowd, and despite being reduced to ten men late on, the visitors returned home with the spoils.
Recent Form
Bayern’s unbeaten run this calendar year has also seen them clock up nine consecutive wins, including impressive victories at Stamford Bridge and a 6-0 dismantling of Hoffenheim.
Leverkusen are hardly short of confidence themselves, having completely transformed their season since the turn of the year.
In Havertz, Leverkusen possess the hottest prospect in German football right now. An impressive record of 28 goals in his last 60 Bundesliga games hasn’t gone unnoticed among some of Europe’s giants.
Here's how both have performed in their last five games.
Bayer Leverkusen
SC Freiburg 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen (29/05)
Bayer Leverkusen 1-4 Wolfsburg (26/05)
Borussia M’gladbach 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen (23/05)
Werder Bremen 1-4 Bayer Leverkusen (18/05)
Rangers 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen (12/03)
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 5-0 Fortuna Düsseldorf (30/05)
Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Bayern Munich (26/05)
Bayern Munich 5-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (23/05)
Union Berlin 0-2 Bayern Munich (17/05)
Bayern Munich 2-0 FC Augsburg (8/03)
Prediction
Leverkusen may be in form and their arsenal may contain one of the in-form strikers in the league - but none of that can’t be said of the Bavarians. Robert Lewandowski’s 29 goals in 27 league games yet again sees him leading the way in the goalscoring charts.
In a contest between two of the hottest teams in German football, this one may well be decided by which striker can convert under pressure. Expect the old head to show the young pretender how it’s done and secure his team the three points.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Bayern Munich