Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen

Allianz Arena is the venue as Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen go head-to-head in an early top-table Bundesliga six-pointer.

Bayern Munich’s pursuit of a record-extending 12th consecutive Bundesliga title has been off to a perfect start, with Thomas Tuchel’s side winning their opening three league matches for the second season in a row. The last victory was particularly noteworthy as the ‘Bavarians’ overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1, halting a four-game winless Bundesliga run at Borussia Park (D1, L3). That result helped Bayern head into September’s international break in high spirits and potentially laid the foundation for a first four-game winning start to a new top-flight campaign since 2018/19. However, Leverkusen’s visit to town calls for caution, with the perennial German champions managing just two wins in their last four Bundesliga H2Hs on home soil (D1, L1).

Visiting Bayer Leverkusen are among a handful of clubs capable of challenging Bayern’s title credentials. Xabi Alonso, who won three consecutive Bundesliga titles with Bayern as a player, has inspired ‘Die Werkself’ to their first 100% three-game start to a new top-flight campaign since 2013/14, doing that in style. After an enthralling 3-2 home win over RB Leipzig on the opening weekend, Alonso’s men have dismantled Gladbach and newly-promoted Darmstadt via a combined score of 8-1 in their last two league outings. New Leverkusen hero Victor Boniface drew first blood within the opening 21 minutes of play in both those wins. Leverkusen’s quick-fire starts have seen them net 2+ first-half goals twice in their first three league games.