Bayer Leverkusen will welcome Borussia Monchengladbach to the Bay Arena in what is the first real blockbuster Bundesliga fixture of the 2021/22 campaign as both sides look to get their first win of the season this weekend.
The hosts Leverkusen travelled to last year’s surprise package Union Berlin on the opening day, where the two played out a 1-1 draw in what was a fairly lacklustre game where neither side really had an array of chances.
The Company's Eleven did see much of the ball, but with goals coming early on in the game from Taiwo Awoniyi for Union and Moussa Diaby for Leverkusen, both clubs did get off the mark with a point. However, it was far from a telling game.
Leverkusen are in need of a big season here as well, as they missed out on Champions League football for the second season running, and Gerardo Seoane’s men must now begin to pick up some early form to avoid any mishaps down the road.
It was a sixth-placed finish for them last time out, which was their worst performance since they finished 12th back in 2016/17 and the club have since battled it out with Gladbach directly for the top four in the Bundesliga.
Moreover, if Leverkusen’s sixth-placed finish was below par, Gladbach’s eighth-placed position at the end was utterly disastrous as they lost 11 games and only won 13 in Marco Rose’s final campaign with them.
Ex-Eintracht Frankfurt manager, Adi Hütter, is the club’s new manager and after finishing fifth with the Eagles in 2020/21, much is expected of him as he attempts to fill the big shoes left behind by Rose.
Just like Seoane, Hütter’s first game with his new club also ended in a draw, but whilst Leverkusen were expected to beat Union, Gladbach can pat themselves on the back for getting a point against champions Bayern Munich.
In fact, the Foals will be disappointed not to have left BORUSSIA-PARK with all three points after they took the lead against the Bundesliga’s serial winners thanks to another goal from Alassane Plea before the inevitable happened; a Robert Lewandowski goal.
As has been the case in the league and in previous fixtures between the two down the years, not much will separate them on the day, and Forebet predicts this important Bundesliga clash will see another draw from both sides.
Both Leverkusen and Gladbach boast goals in their sides, so Forebet have gone with a 2-2 draw for this one, but either way, it’s set to be a great game.