The summer break is over and national soccer championships are about to start all over Europe. In Germany, Round 1 of the German Bundesliga will be played during the next weekend and as usual, we have prepared for you previews of every single matchup in order to announce a proper return on the money earning business by singling out some easy bets. The opening matchup of 2017/2018 German Bundesliga season will take place at one of the old continent’s most beautiful Stadiums, Allianz Arena on Friday were defending champions Bayern Munich shall host one of their biggest rivals in German soccer, Bayer Leverkusen team. Both squads have been active during the offseason in the transfer market and their rosters look much different than a year ago. Week 1 will provide us with the answer of what kind of the season these teams will probably have and to be fair, impatience is reaching its peak so let’s take a closer look at how it could play out.
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Three-Way: 1: Bayern Munich -333; X: +600 Draw; Bayer Leverkusen +1400
Spread -1.5: Bayern Munich -125; Bayer Leverkusen +134
Total +3.5: Over +135; Under -133
BAYERN MUNICH
The Bayern Munich team ended the last season as the German Bundesliga Champions for the sixth consecutive year (27th title overall – most in Germany) and anything besides repeating that success would be considered as an underachievement by the fans and the board. They will start the 2017/18 season with a home game against old rivals, Bayer from Leverkusen. The Reds from Munich are particularly efficient in their season openers as they have recorded six consecutive wins in last six years with a 19-2 goal difference (last time they lost the season opener was in 2011/12 season).
Against Bayer, the stats also go their way as they’ve managed to record 45 wins in 78 meetings so far in all competitions along with 16 draws and 17 losses. They also averaged 1.9 goals scored and 1.22 goals allowed against this opponent. Last season matchups ended with a goalless draw in Leverkusen and a 2:1 Bayern’s win in Munich. Last time Bayer won a game against Bayern was in season 2014/2015 (2:0 win at BayArena) and the last time Bayer won the game at Allianz Arena was five years ago (10/28/2012, 2:1 road win).
Their roster has suffered certain changes and my overall impression is that their team might be a bit weaker than last year. Retirements of Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso will make the biggest impact on their squad. Also, Douglas Costa has been sent to Juventus as part of a loan deal along with their new signing Serge Gnabry who has been sent to TSG Hoffenheim on a similar arrangement.
The most notable addition should be the arrival of James Rodriguez who joined Bayern Munich on a loan from Real Madrid. Also, notable addition is the twenty-one years old centre-back Niklas Sule who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim for a fee worth 20.00 Mill Euros and he should fill the void in the defense that the departure of Mehdi Benatia to Juventus caused. Another two youngsters, winger Kingsley Coman from Juventus (21 million Euros) and midfielder Corentin Tolisso from Olympique Lyon (41.5 million Euros) have been added to the squad, but as I mentioned, proven and steady veteran players such as Alonso and Lahm will be very difficult to replace with youngsters.
Jerome Boateng (thigh) and Juan Bernat (ankle) should be back in early September while James Rodriguez (thigh) who came from Real Madrid on a loan deal is listed to be out until late August and it’s uncertain if he’ll be available on Friday. Manuel Neuer (foot) and Javier Martinez (calf) are back in training while Robert Lewandowski’s (knee) injury status is unknown.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Bayer Leverkusen’s 2016/17 season was one of the team’s worst campaigns in the top tier of German soccer. After the final round, they ranked 12th in the league table with 41 total points, only four points above the relegation line and although survival actually never came to question, they spent the entire year positioned on the second part of the table. The team that was one of the most regular German representatives in European team competitions in last decade has certainly seen better days.
Although they couldn’t face a harder opponent in the week 1, there might be some optimism amongst players and fans that they can snatch some kind of positive result against the defending champions on Friday. Bayer’s wins over Bayern Munich in Munich are not unheard off and as I’ve mentioned above, the last one happened five years ago which is a quite accomplishment if we take the frequency of Bayern’s losses on home soil in consideration.
During the offseason, they sold couple of very impactful players including Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan), Chicharito (West Ham) and Omer Toprak (B. Dortmund) making the transfer activity very successful financially (59.30 Mill. Euros transfer income) but on the other side they signed only two guys who might have an instant impact on the squad, Sven Bender from B. Dortmund and Dominik Kohr from FC Augsburg. Club’s bank account is still full and newly appointed manager Heiko Herrlich has not said the final word when it comes to signing new guys as transfer window remains open until September 1st.
Stefan Kiessling (knee) and Lars Bender (ankle) are back in training while Julian Brandts’s (knee) status is unknown.
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen – Match Prediction
To be honest, Bayern’s win in the opening game of the season should not come in question but I think that the guests from Leverkusen could squeeze at least one goal in host’s net in front of national audience. My safe pick here would be home team’s victory and my additional pick would be both teams score.
My pick: Bayern Munich AH -1.5 (-125)
Additional Pick: Both teams score (+104)
