Bayern Munich: Three things to watch against Bayer Leverkusen

Three things to watch ahead of Bayern Munich’s top of the table clash with Bayern Leverkusen.

Bayern Munich’s final match of the December Bundesliga schedule promises to be an exciting fixture. Die Roten will travel to the BayArena to face Bayer Leverkusen in a top of the table clash. Leverkusen entering this weekend in first place in the Bundesliga and Bayern are in second place.

With just one point separating the two clubs in the table, a victory for Bayern would see them go top of the league entering the 2021 portion of the season. Here are three things to watch ahead of Saturday’s marquee matchup.

High-powered attacks

This match will feature two of the top attacking clubs in the Bundesliga. Bayern have scored the most goals in the German top flight with 37 goals in 12 matches while Leverkusen have scored the second-most goals with 27 goals. The last five matches for Leverkusen in all competitions have seen them score at least three goals or more in every fixture. They are in very good form entering this match.

Leverkusen’s offensive leaders have been Lucas Alario and Leon Bailey. Alario has been the top goal scorer on the team with eight goals in nine league appearances. Bailey is off to a terrific start to the campaign with four goals and four assists in 11 Bundesliga appearances. It will be interesting to see if Alario gets the start or if the new signing Patrik Schick will be in the starting 11. The Czech striker has started the last four matches for Leverkusen while Alario has entered as a substitute. Regardless, Leverkusen have plenty of attacking options that could Bayern nightmares during this match.

Bayern will have to rely on the continued strong performances from Kingsley Coman and Robert Lewandowski. These two players have been leading the way in terms of goal creation and scoring for Die Roten. Lewandowski leads the league in goals scored with 15 and Coman leads the Bundesliga in assists with seven.

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Leverkusen can extend their unbeaten run

Not a single loss has befallen Leverkusen so far in the Bundesliga this season. After Wolfsburg’s loss to Bayern in mid-week action, Leverkusen remains as the only club left who has yet to lose a match in the German top flight. Having already handed one club their first loss of the 2020/21 campaign this week, Bayern will be looking to end another unbeaten run of form on Saturday. Since Die Roten has dropped the majority of points away from home this season, Leverkusen has a big chance to maintain their unbeaten run in the league.

Bayern’s backline needs a big performance

Defensively Bayern have not been at their best as of late as they have only registered two clean sheets in the Bundesliga so far this season. In their last three Bundesliga matches, Bayern have conceded first and have had to come back to earn a result. They can’t afford to let Leverkusen get the first goal in this match. If this match turns into a goal-fest then Leverkusen could have the upper hand if they are able to get the first goal.

A strong performance from Bayern’s backline could help build confidence as the club enter January. They have not been able to hold many clubs scoreless and a clean sheet against Leverkusen would certainly be a massive result.