In 2024/25 Bundesliga The season kicks off on Friday night as champions Bayer Leverkusen begin their title defense with a trip to Borussia Monchengladbach.
Xabi Alonso’s side went unbeaten in all domestic competitions last season to claim the Meisterschale, also sealing a return to the Champions League in the process.
Next opponents Gladbach have slipped down the league table every season since finishing fourth in 2020/21, with their 14th-placed effort last season their worst in 13 years.
here it is 90 minutes preview of Friday night’s meeting.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H Record (Last Five Matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Borussia Monchengladbach |
Bayer Leverkusen |
|---|---|
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Erzgebirge Aue 1-3 Borussia Monchengladbach – 17/08/24 |
Bayer Leverkusen – Stuttgart 2-2 (4-3p) – 17/08/24 |
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Borussia Monchengladbach – Strasbourg 1-1 – 08/10/24 |
Bayer Leverkusen – Real Betis 1-1 (3-1p) – 08/10/24 |
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Borussia Monchengladbach – Strasbourg 2-0 – 08/10/24 |
Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen – 08/07/24 |
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Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 Holstein Kiel – 29/07/24 |
Lens 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen – 08/03/24 |
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Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 Fortuna Sittard – 25/07/24 |
RW Essen 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen – 26/07/24 |
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country |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
united kingdom |
Sky Go UK, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Mix |
|
united states |
fuboTV, ESPN+, ESPN App, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes |
|
canada |
DAZN Canada |
Gladbach have tried to move quickly in the summer transfer window as they look to overcome last season’s disappointments, bringing in striker Tim Kleindienst and midfielder Kevin Stoger. Both could earn starts on opening weekend.
Defender Nico Elvedi hopes to make a timely recovery from a foot injury, while Robin Hack could return to the team after suffering through illness.
Reserve goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky will not return to the matchday squad until October with a knee problem and youngster Yvandro Borges Sanches has an ACL injury.
Borussia Monchengladbach predicted lineup against Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1): Omlin; Scally, Ikatura, Elvedi, Netz; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Stoger, Plea; Small service
Leverkusen have managed to retain the core of their impressive squad, most of whom featured in the DFL-Supercup success against Stuttgart. The game ended 1-1, but Xabi Alonso’s team won the penalty shootout.
Argentina international Exequiel Palacios continues to recover from knee surgery, but the visitors have a fit squad to take part in this Rhine derby.
Florian Wirtz, Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong came off the bench in the Super Cup but should be in the starting eleven, while striker Victor Boniface is available despite serving a one-match ban and a €25,000 fine for an offensive gesture at the weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup against Borussia Monchengladbach (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface
Leverkusen won the hearts and minds of most neutrals last season by ending Bayern Munich’s perennial Bundesliga dominance, but Alonso won’t want them to get close to Vincent Kompany’s side during their defense this season time
Instead, the reigning champions will be hungry for a quick start to their title defense on Friday night. A heavy pre-season defeat to Arsenal showed they are still not in their unstoppable rhythm, but they should have more than enough to pick up three points at Gladbach to start the campaign.
