Bayern Munich
vs
Bayer Leverkusen
Kick-off
18:30 GMT
18 August 2017
The Bundesliga returns for the 2017/18 season after a long summer with little international involvement. The biggest tie of the first match week sees Bayer Leverkusen take the trip the home of the champions, Bayern Munich. The hosts won the title by 15 points while Leverkusen had a very poor season by their standards as they finished 12th just four points adrift of the relegation play-off.
The fixtures between the two sides have been dominated by Bayern Munich in recent years as Bayer Leverkusen have only managed to pick up one win at the last 10 attempts. Bayern have won five of the meetings during that period. In the last six games between the two, Leverkusen have only scored one goal.
While it should be plain sailing for Bayern Munich in the season opener, they have several of their first-team players unavailable for the clash. Jerome Boateng, Thiago and James Rodriguez will all miss the game through injury but the Bavarians should have more than enough quality to fill the gaps left by the three players.
Latest matches: Bayern Munich
12.08.2017 | ![]() |
Chemnitzer FC | Bayern Munich | 0:5 | W |
05.08.2017 | ![]() |
Borussia Dortmund | Bayern Munich | 6:7 | W |
02.08.2017 | ![]() |
SSC Napoli | Bayern Munich | 2:0 | L |
01.08.2017 | ![]() |
Bayern Munich | Liverpool FC | 0:3 | L |
27.07.2017 | ![]() |
Bayern Munich | Inter Milan | 0:2 | L |
Bayer Leverkusen are up against it in this game and they have a few injuries to make their task even harder. Tin Jedvaj, Stefan KIeßling and Kai Havertz are all injured and won’t make the matchday squad. The absence of Kießling will hurt the visitors most due to his experience. Latest matches: Bayer Leverkusen
11.08.2017
DFB
Karlsruher SC
Bayer Leverkusen
0:3
W
05.08.2017
Club
Bayer Leverkusen
Celta de Vigo
3:3
D
30.07.2017
Club
Bayer Leverkusen
Lazio Roma
1:3
L
27.07.2017
Club
Bayer Leverkusen
Antalyaspor
1:1
D
23.07.2017
Club
SV Sandhausen
Bayer Leverkusen
3:2
L
As one of the best teams in Europe, it is very rare that Bayern Munich would be going into a game as the underdogs and this game is no different as they are solid favourites and should start the season with a comfortable win. While Leverkusen won’t be easy to break down, as soon as the hosts score one goal, it could be a case of the proverbial floodgates opening. Bayern are expected to pick up all three points with style on the first day of the season and Leverkusen shouldn’t pose too much of a threat.
18 August 2017 - 18:30 GMT
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