Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich: Five players to watch

Bayern Munich will face Bayer Leverkusen in an early season top-of-the-table clash. Die Roten enter Matchday Eight level on points with Leverkusen and they are only occupying first place in the table due to goal differential. With both clubs posting an identical record of wins, losses, and draws, it promises to be a highly competitive fixture on Sunday. Here are five key players to watch for during the top-of-the-table fixture.

Florian Wirtz

Leverkusen’s rising star is off to a fantastic start in the 2021/22 campaign. Wirtz currently leads the Bundesliga in assists with five recorded in his seven league appearances. Additionally, he has scored four goals to add to his early-season offensive impact.

Having already scored against Bayern in his very early career, Wirtz will certainly be looking to be impactful in his fourth appearance against Die Roten and register another goal. He’s been one of the top offensive players in the Bundesliga thus far this season and he will have the opportunity to further display his tremendous potential against the defending champions.

Jamal Musiala

The other rising talent in the Bundesliga will likely feature in this match as well. Musiala has registered two goals and two assists in six league appearances which makes him one of the most productive U20 players in the German top flight. He has yet to score against Leverkusen in his first-team career but that could change on Sunday.

Patrik Schick

Schick has emerged as one of the early contenders to finish as the league’s top scorer this season. With six goals in seven matches, the Czech Republic international only trails Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski by one goal in the top scorer standings. Schick did score against Bayern last season when he produced a top-class finish in their first meeting of the 2020/21 campaign. A goal against Bayern could bring him level with Lewandowski in goals scored if the Bayern striker is held goalless.

Thomas Muller

With seven career goals and four assists against Leverkusen, Muller has been one of the most productive offensive players for Bayern when these two clubs meet. He will enter this match in decent form with two goals and two assists being recorded in his last five appearances for Bayern in all competitions. Muller also had a successful time with Germany during the October international break as he recorded one goal and two assists in his appearances against North Macedonia and Romania.

Robert Lewandowski

The Bayern striker has scored an impressive eight goals in 13 appearances against Leverkusen. Last season, he scored two goals to defeat Leverkusen 2-1 in a dramatic victory on Matchday 13. Having already scored seven goals this season, Lewandowski should once more be a factor in this fixture as he looks to add to his season goal total in the German top-flight. He is going through a small goal drought with no goals scored in four of his last five appearances for both club and country but he is certainly capable of bouncing back to produce a masterclass against Leverkusen. (Stats courtesy: fbref)