Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig

BayArena is the venue as Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig square off in a mouth-watering Bundesliga encounter.

Following their advancement to a European semi-final for the first time in over two decades earlier this week, Bayer Leverkusen now shift their attention back to the Bundesliga race for a spot in Europe. Xabi Alonso’s men were trailing the top five by six points before this round, making it probable that they will secure a place in the Conference League unless they can make up the ground or alternatively win the Europa League. ‘Die Werkself’ have not lost in their previous seven Bundesliga matches (W5, D2), a run only surpassed by Mainz’s streak of nine unbeaten games. However, they’re winless in their last six meetings with Leipzig in the Bundesliga on home turf (D3, L3), including a narrow 1-0 defeat in this corresponding fixture in 2021/22.

Meanwhile, Leipzig’s pursuit of European football has a couple of alternate paths, including the DFB Pokal, but their current priority is to maintain their place in the Bundesliga top four. Going into this round, the Red Bulls had a one-point advantage over fifth place, but they may need to win this match to reclaim fourth, especially if Freiburg win their home match against Schalke before kick-off. Marco Rose’s men have enjoyed an upturn in form in the build-up to this trip, going from three defeats in four league matches (W1) to back-to-back victories. A narrow 1-0 triumph at Hertha Berlin on their last Bundesliga travel halted Leipzig’s frustrating run of three straight away losses in all competitions. But they’ve not won consecutive away games in 2023.