Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to kick off a new era on a winning note when they welcome Eintracht Frankfurt to the BayArena this Friday night.
It has been a tumultuous start to the campaign for Leverkusen, who unceremoniously sacked Erik ten Hag just before the international break. The Dutchman was in charge for just two months and set a Bundesliga record for becoming the first manager to lose his job after two league matches.
Staggering revelations in the German media pointed to a series of issues at the club, which ranged from a breakdown in trust to the bizarre claim that players were upset about doing press ups in training.
Die Werkself used the recent international break to recruit a new head coach, with former Denmark national team coach Kasper Hjulmand deciding to take on the challenge.
His first test promises to be a tough one as Eintracht Frankfurt look to continue their perfect start to the season. Dino Toppmoller’s men have won all of their three competitive games this term, scoring 12 goals along the way.
The Eagles will now be looking to end their woeful 11-match losing run at the BayArena. Eintracht have not tasted victory away in Leverkusen since 2013, but they will be feeling quietly confident following a rocky start to the campaign for their opponents.
How the bookies view it: Leverkusen slight favourites
Despite their recent troubles, Bayer Leverkusen are still priced as slight 13/10 favourites by BoyleSports. Eintracht Frankfurt, who are winless at the BayArena in over a decade, are available at 9/5, while the draw is priced at 27/10.
Head to head: Leverkusen love this fixture
Bayer Leverkusen have become a real bogey side for Eintracht Frankfurt in recent seasons. Die Werkself have won eight of their previous 10 meetings across all competitions – home and away. Leverkusen are in the midst of a five-match winning run over their opponents, beating them 4-1 during their last encounter in March.
Players to watch: Focus on Schick
Patrik Schick scored a brace in Leverkusen's 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen just before the international break. The striker scored 21 Bundesliga goals last season and will be looking for another solid season in Germany. The 29-year-old is undoubtedly the man to watch on Friday (Patrik Schick anytime goalscorer – priced at 5/4 by BoyleSports).
Japan's Ritsu Doan is the man to watch for Eintracht. All four of his goals in all competitions for Frankfurt this term have come away from home. On top of that, he has also scored against Leverkusen in three of his last four seasons. (Ritsu Doan anytime goalscorer – priced at 11/4)
Probable line-ups:
Hjulmand only had two training sessions with his new team, meaning we may not see too many changes from the team which squandered a 3-1 lead against Bremen. Jeanuel Belocian could be thrown back into action, with the Frenchman reportedly back from his long-term knee injury. Jonas Hofmann, on the other hand, is unlikely to feature.
When it comes to Eintracht, the team remain without goalkeeper Kaua Santos meaning Michael Zetterer will keep his place in goal. World Cup winner Mario Gotze is a doubt for the game due to a muscle injury. Jessic Ngankam is also a doubt.
Leverkusen: Flekken, Bade, Tapsoba, Quansah, Grimaldo, Garcia, Andrich, Tella, Tillman, Ben Seghir, Schick
Frankfurt: Zetterer, Theate, Collins, Koch, Kristensen, Larsson, Chaibi, Bahoya, Uzun, Doan, Burkardt
Anything else catch the eye?
Hjulmand will be determined to kick off his new job with a big win, but his record is a questionable one. During his previous spell in the Bundesliga with Mainz, the Danish coach only managed five wins from 24 games. What's more, has failed to win on three of his last four managerial debuts. With that in mind, Eintracht could be an attractive option in the draw no bet market, priced at 11/10 with BoyleSports.
Both teams to score is another option, considering five of the previous six meetings have seen this bet land (BTTS – 10/21). Over 2.5 goals also has potential having landed in all six previous meetings (Over 2.5 goals – 4/9).
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