Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig

BayArena is the venue as Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig go head-to-head in a mouth-watering 2023/24 Bundesliga opener.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has overseen some changes during the transfer window, with Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface, and Alex Grimaldo coming in and KeremDemirbay and Moussa Diaby going out. Fresh off thumping fourth-tier Teutonia 05 Ottensen in the DFB-Pokal, Leverkusen will be looking to get the new Bundesliga season off to a winning start after three consecutive failed attempts (D2, L1). However, Leipzig’s visit to the BayArena hardly bodes well, considering ‘Die Werkself’ had gone winless in their first six home league meetings with this opposition (D3, L3) before a 2-0 win in this corresponding fixture in 2022/23. Perhaps surprisingly, their recent H2Hs at the BayArena have mostly been low-scoring affairs, with the last four featuring under 2.5 goals.

On the other hand, Dani Olmo’s stunning hat-trick fired RB Leipzig off to a dream 2023/24 start as they thrashed perennial champions Bayern Munich 3-0 in last weekend’s DFL-Supercup. Leipzig’s impressive Super Cup success could set the tone for another top-four finish in the Bundesliga or better. With Lois Openda and Xavi Simons expected to make their Bundesliga debuts in this match, the visitors’ hopes of building on their run of seven wins from their final eight league outings last term have a strong foundation. It’s also worth noting that ‘Die Roten Bullen’ won three of their final four top-flight travels toward the end of 2022/23 (L1), keeping two clean sheets in that run.