Augsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen

Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen travel to the WWK Arena to meet mid-table Augsburg in their curtain-raising 2024 contest.

Augsburg’s domestic form dwindled ahead of the Christmas break as a three-match winless Bundesliga run (D1, L2) left them stranded in the lower reaches, precisely eight points off the European spots and clear of the drop zone. Despite their indifferent form after the first 16 rounds (W4, D6, L6), Augsburg won’t go down without a fight, especially after alternating between wins (2) and draws (2) across their last four home league outings. Entertainment has been a common theme during that stretch, with all four matches seeing both teams on the scoresheet, which had been the case in five consecutive top-flight H2Hs before Augsburg won this corresponding fixture last term 1-0. Defensive soundness will be equally significant this time, considering ‘Die Fuggerstädter’ drew a blank in two of their final three league games of 2023.

Visiting Bayer Leverkusen will be out to avenge last season’s Bundesliga double against Augsburg and preserve their place at the top of the pile after concluding the previous calendar year on a three-game winning streak in all competitions. Xabi Alonso’s men have excelled on the road this season, as they headed into 2024 as the only Bundesliga side yet to lose an away league game in 2023/24 (W5, D2). Virtually untouchable, ‘Die Werkself’ are the only unbeaten team in the Bundesliga this term (W13, D3), with their dominant form stretching beyond the realms of Germany. Bringing other competitions into the equation, Leverkusen’s 25-game undefeated record this season is second to none (W22, D3). It’s enough to say they’re the only side in any of UEFA’s 54 top-flight leagues to still be going unbeaten this term.