Preview & Betting Tip - 16.03.2013
Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern Munich - Derby of this Bundesliga round will be played in Leverkusen, where the third and first in the table standings meet, however, the point difference is huge 21 points in favour of the Bavarians who are surely marching toward the championship title. Bayer is already in its traditional third place and can be very happy, because they have more than six points than the 4th placed and are close to qualification in the Champions League. The only similarity between these two teams are excellent home games where they were defeat only once and have received a minimal number of goals. It is interesting that the only Bayern’s defeat from the first part of the season is exactly the one from match with Bayer, which ended with surprising 2-1. Bayer Leverkusen won in the last season too, and Bayern Munich hasn’t won at BayArena since 2008. Begins: 16.03.2013 – 18:30 CET
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer has strengthened its third position in the Bundesliga and can be satisfied. The second place is not too far because Borussia has just one point more, however, Bayer recently plays somewhat weaker so that they don’t deserve a better placement. They were eliminated from the Europa League where they wanted to make a much better result but Benfica was too strong and won them two times. In the Bundesliga have achieved two minimum home wins of 2-1 and those come after a lot of problems, but they have been waiting for a long time for an away victory. After three consecutive draws they lost in the last round from Mainz with 1-0 and it was the second consecutive away match where they haven’t achieved a goal. Against both Furth and Mainz they made a celebrity of the opposing goalkeeper, who means they have the game but the problem is the final realisation. In the defence Bayer was without both standard stoppers in the last round, but Wollscheid now returns while Toprak will have to remain on the bench. The dilemma is also between Kadlec and Boenisch on the left flank.
Probable lineups Bayer Leverkusen: Leno – Carvajal, Wollscheid, Schwaab, Kadlec(Boenisch) – Reinartz, Rolfes, L.Bender – Castro, Schurrle, Kiesling
Bayern Munich
Bayern on Wednesday almost felt the taste of failure for the first time this season. They played at home a rematch in the Champions League eighth-finals against Arsenal and what was supposed to be a routine work done after their 3-1 victory in London, it turned into a Biblical torment and even panic in the match finish. The game ended 2-0 for Arsenal so the Bavarians survived, but for the first time this season in the Champions League have been defeated at home. It was a kind of warning for the rest of the season, but in the national championship they shouldn’t be concerned, because there will be no such shocks as they have a huge point advantage over other teams. The string of ten wins in this calendar year has been interrupted in all competitions and now they need to return to the winning track. Against Arsenal they were without Schweinsteiger and Ribery and it felt very much in the game, while in the defence there were no Boateng and the long time injured Badstuber. Schweinsteiger is now back, while insufficiently recovered Ribery will probably watch start of the game from the bench. It is very possible that Gomez starts in the forward line instead of Mandzukic.
Probable lineups Bayern Munich: Neuer – Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba – Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger – Robben, Kroos, T.Muller – Gomez
Bayer Leverkusen – Bayern Munich Pick
Bayern will be a little tired of the Champions League and after an unexpected defeat have an extra motive to play on victory in Leverkusen, but the host wants the same thing so this should be a match with a lot of excitement and goals.
Better's Tip: over 2.5 goals
Stake: 5/10
