Bayer Leverkusen are set to take on Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga on Saturday, 5 October in a match that will have an impact on both ends of the table.
Bayer Leverkusen, the current champions of Germany, have started their defence reasonably well and currently sit three points adrift of Bayern Munich at the top of the table.
Holstein Kiel, meanwhile, are struggling to adapt to life in the top flight and have only managed to pick up one point so far in their first five matches.
How the bookies view it: The hosts are massive favourites
Bayer Leverkusen come into this one as the overwhelming favourites with Holsten Kiel being given virtually no chance of picking up anything at the BayArena. Betfred have priced a home win as short as 1/12 while they have priced a win for the visitors at 22/1. The draw is considered very unlikely, too, and has been priced at 10/1.
Recent head-to-head: Only their second-ever meeting
This is the first season in their history that Holstein Kiel have played in the Bundesliga so this is only the second time that they've ever faced Bayer Leverkusen. The only other encounter came back in 2003 in a cup match which Leverkusen won 3-1.
Players to watch: Wirtz to fill his boots?
Florian Wirtz was sublime for Bayer Leverkusen last season, leading the club to the best season in their history winning an invincible league and cup double. The German playmaker, who came through the Leverkusen academy, had always been spoken about as someone with potential but nobody could have predicted his explosion last season.
Wirtz finished the campaign with 18 goals and 19 assists in all competitions but after a slightly disappointing Euro 2024 with Germany, there were a lot of people wondering whether he could live up to the standards he had set for himself this time around.
Although the season is still young, Wirtz has picked up where he left. The 21-year-old has already scored six goals and provided one assist for Leverkusen this time around and as they prepare to face a team that have already conceded 17 goals, there is every chance he will add to these numbers on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen have a clean bill of health for this one but Xabi Alonso will likely rotate some players after labelling his squad ‘fatigued' after their midweek win over AC Milan. Holstein Kiel aren't so fortunate and are missing four players – Andu Kelati, Carl Johansson, Patrick Erras and Colin Kleine-Bekel.
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky – Grimaldo, Tah, Frimpong, Tapsoba – Xhaka, Hincapie, Garcia – Wirtz, Adli, Boniface
Holstein Kiel: Weiner – Geschwill, Johansson, Becker – Rosenboom, Knudsen, Porath – Holtby Gigovic – Pichler, Machino
Anything else catch the eye?
Expect plenty of goals for this one and don't discount Holstein Kiel getting one or two themselves given that Leverkusen have already conceded ten league goals this season.
A total of 17 goals have been scored in Holstein Kiel's last three league matches while 14 have been scored in Leverkusen's last three. Over 4.5 goals to be scored on Saturday has been priced at 11/8 by Betfred.
This German Bundesliga match between Bayer Leverkusen and Holstein Kiel will be played on Oct 5, 2024 and kick off at 14:30. Check below for our tipsters best Bayer Leverkusen vs Holstein Kiel prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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