Prematch: Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig
“Leverkusen will present a real challenge,” anticipates Marco Rose ahead of Leipzig’s fixture with them.
Published: April 22, 2023 17:34
WEATHER FORECAST
moderate rain
TEMPERATURE
league
STARTING AT
In short
As Die Werkself return home following their impressive run to the semifinals of UEFA Europa League, they aim to extend their seven-game unbeaten streak against Red Bull Leipzig at BayArena starting Sunday, April 23rd from 16:30 (GMT+1).
Bayer Leverkusen Advance to UEL Semifinals After Sweeping Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Draw Wolfsburg in Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen swept aside Royale Union Saint-Gilloise 4-1 to advance to the semifinals after an aggregate score of 5-2 and book their place against AS Roma for their UEL semifinal first leg clash on May 11th. Back in the Bundesliga, B04L were unable to overcome Wolfsburg and settled for a goalless draw against them. Leverkusen’s five-game win streak came to an end following their draw [WWWWD], leaving them in 6th place on the Bundesliga table with 44 points from 13 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses from 13W, 5D, 10L games. Die Werkself are unbeaten in seven consecutive matches (5W, 2D, 0L] and will look to extend that streak on Sunday against Freiburg. However, the home side have lost all six Bundesliga home matches against RB Leipzig [0W, 3D, 3L]. Moussa Diaby and Amine Adli may form part of an attack against Leipzig while goalkeeper Andrey Lunyov [back injury] and Patrik Schick [groin] may both miss out due to injury while Xabi Alonso may miss Hudson-Odoi and Tapsoba due to muscular problems.
Leipzig Secure Hard-Fought Victory Over Augsburg Thanks to Braces From Timo Werner and Kevin Kampl
Leipzig battled hard for their 3-2 win against Augsburg and were helped to victory thanks to two braces from Timo Werner [32′, 35′] and Kevin Kampl’s goal [10′] which ensured they kept Augsburg at bay. Visitors Werder Bremen have won four consecutive matches – WLLWW- to move up one place into fourth position with 51 points [15W, 6D, 7L], one ahead of SC Freiburg [50 points] but one point behind third-place Union [52 points]. Their next challenge against Leverkusen will come this Saturday afternoon. Last weekend was just the second time in 2018-19 that Red Bulls secured consecutive league victories, though thanks to a 2-0 triumph at home they remain on course to a double over their opponents. Marco Rose acknowledged in his pre-match press conference that facing Leverkusen would present them with a formidable challenge, yet one they looked forward to meeting. They’d been on form in recent weeks as evidenced by recent results, building momentum along the way. Rose plans on fielding a 4–2–3-1 formation with Timo Werner up front; Gulacsi (knee injury), Schlager (ankle) and David Raum are unavailable while Mohamed Simakan (knee injury) could misses this weekend’s encounter.
Others liked
FC Bayern München vs Hertha BSC
30 Apr 15:30
Bayern hopes to regain first place after Bochum held Dortmund to a 1-1 tie
RB Leipzig vs TSG Hoffenheim
29 Apr 15:30
Leipzig are once more in pursuit of a top-four finish as Hoffenheim arrives for an away match
Eintracht Frankfurt vs FC Augsburg
29 Apr 15:30
Frankfurt are hoping to break an eight-game winless run against Augsburg this weekend in their fixture
FC Union Berlin vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen
29 Apr 15:30
Leverkusen are on track to extend their unbeaten streak on their trip to Berlin by 13 games
VfL Bochum 1848 vs Borussia Dortmund
28 Apr 20:30
Dortmund hope to remain on top of the Bundesliga table following their trip to Bochum
SC Freiburg vs Schalke 04
23 Apr 15:30
Freiburg are hoping for back-to-back victories when Schalke arrive at their stadium.
