Soccer Germany Bundesliga Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen vs Monchengladbach - Match Preview

⚽ 21 May 2023 - 13:30 GMT +0

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has encouraged his side to ‘cheer up and keep going’ after they were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League by Roma on Thursday. Die Werkself ‘gave everything’ according to the Spaniard, but their failure to score across both legs now means their route back into Europe depends on breaking into the top-six or maintaining seventh should Leipzig lift the DFB Pokal.

Going into this round, Leverkusen sat outside of the European places by just a single goal, so reigniting their usually devastating attack could be the key to success in the final two weeks of the season. Hosting Borussia Mönchengladbach in a 'little' Rhine derby certainly gives them a decent platform, as Die Werkself has lost just one of their last eight home matches in all competitions (W5, D2).

Gladbach made the trip to Leverkusen with nothing left to play for after a 5-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund all but ended their hopes of a top-half finish. Boss Daniel Farke admitted his side ‘lacked discipline’ in that drubbing, although troubles on the road have been an issue for a long time as Die Fohlen has won just one of their last 18 league matches away from home.

Only relegation-threatened Bochum and Hertha Berlin have earned fewer points on their travels than Gladbach, a record not helped by a measly season total of two away clean sheets. This is a fixture they’ve come to dread in recent years too as they’ve lost six consecutive Bundesliga H2Hs, and another defeat here would see Leverkusen do the double over them for a third consecutive season.

📋 Key battle: Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz has assisted three goals in four personal H2H meetings (W4). Tasked with tying him down could be Julian Weigl who has won six of his nine career meetings with Die Werkself (D1, L2).

⚡ Hot stat: Gladbach has conceded 13 away goals between the 76th minute and full-time, the joint-worst return in the division.