Erik Ten Hag has a point to prove after his Manchester United exit and will be out to avoid an embarrassing DFB Pokal exit to minnows Sonnenhof Grossapach in his first competitive game as Bayer Leverkusen boss.
After the high of an unbeaten domestic season in 2023/24, Xabi Alonso's final campaign in Leverkusen was something of an anti-climax as they finished second in the Bundesliga, didn't make an impact in Europe and bowed out in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal.
That still didn't stop Real Madrid from naming Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti's successor at the Bernabeu and Leverkusen responded by handing Ten Hag a return to management.
The Dutchman led Manchester United to two domestic cups but was binned early last term after failing to halt their slide down the Premier League table.
The former Ajax boss now has the chance to rebuild his reputation in Germany and it would be massive surprise if Leverkusen slipped up at fourth-tier Sonnenhof Grossapach.
But Arminia Bielefeld, a team from the third tier, managed to blaze a trail to the DFB Pokal Final last season, shocking Leverkusen in the last four. So Grossapach will know anything can happen in a cup tie.
How the bookies view it: Leverkusen to stroll it
The bookies can't see Ten Hag's side slipping up in this cup tie, with Bayer Leverkusen 1/16 favourites at BoyleSports. Sonnenhof Grossapach are 22/1 shots and the draw is also pretty big at 13/2.
Head to head: First-time foes
These sides have never played a competitive game before so history will be made. Leverkusen have only won the DFB Pokal twice but the last of those victories did come just two seasons ago in that memorable unbeaten domestic campaign under Alonso.
Players to watch: Schick's too slick
Czech striker Patrik Schick is usually pretty reliable up front for Leverkusen and will fancy his chances against the Grossabach defence. He could be worth backing for two or more goals if the bookies get round to pricing up a scorer market.
Fabian Eisele has scored three times in two league games for Sonnenhof Grossapach this season so he's likely to present the biggest threat to Leverkusen.
Probable line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen are still without defender Jeanuel Belocian while winger Martin Terrier is a doubt. Summer signings Jarell Quansah, Mark Flekken, Malik Tillman could be handed competitive debuts.
Sonnenhof Grossapach: Ruele, Mohr, Rahn, Kretschmar, Nuraj, Celiktas, Kunde, Loris Maier, Podolskyi, Pollex, Eisele.
Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken, Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie, Grimaldo, Tella, Andrich, Tillman, Adli, Maza, Schick.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's early in the season but Bayer Leverkusen should still have way too much class for a team sitting in the fourth tier. So I fancy over 4.5 goals at 8/5 with BoyleSports while Leverkusen -1.5 in the first-half handicap also looks good at 11/8.
It could take the Bundesliga side a bit of time to get into their stride so backing most goals to come after the break could pay off, although the odds aren't great at just 4/5.
The minnows could be a bit over-eager so betting on a penalty being awarded may also pay off, a scenario that Paddy Power price at evens.
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