Bayer Leverkusen lead the Bundesliga over Bayern Munich by eight points. The Company XI’s lead has been down to consistency, going all 23 league matches this season unbeaten.
Will our AI-powered algorithm predict another Leverkusen match without a defeat this weekend?
It won’t be easy for Bayer to get another positive result, as they make the trip to Koln. Although Koln are 16th and in the relegation-playoff place currently, they went unbeaten in four of their last five matches.
Derby preps! 💪🔜 #KOEB04 pic.twitter.com/mYtjMg9eLA— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) February 29, 2024
Derby preps! 💪🔜 #KOEB04 pic.twitter.com/mYtjMg9eLA
The Billy Goats took points off Bayer Leverkusen in three of their last five meetings. However, Bayer put Koln to the sword earlier this season, winning 3-0 at home.
Jonas Hofman opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for Bayer. Ten minutes later, Jermie Frimpong added a second goal. Bayer put the match to bed just after the hour-mark thanks to Victor Boniface.
Koln were heavily out-played at the BayArena, keeping just 36.3% of the possession. They were also outshot 23-7.
Leverkusen are the Bundesliga’s best away team. They took 29 points from a possible 33 on the road, scoring 25 goals and conceding nine – the lowest number of goals allowed away from home in the league.
Koln’s home form hasn’t been good. Just nine points were picked up from Koln’s 11 home matches. They have been outscored at home 16-9.
Boniface leads Leverkusen in goals this season. The striker has 10 goals which only accounts for 17% of Bayer’s scoring. This is not a one-man goal scoring team like Bayern Munich and Harry Kane. Alex Grimaldo has added eight goals and Frimpong seven.
Unfortunately for coach Xabi Alonso, he won’t have Boniface available due to a groin injury. The striker is out until April. Midfielder Exequiel Palacios and goalkeeper Arthur are both possible absentees for the weekend trip to Koln.
Koln are the league’s worst goal scorers in terms of overall scoring stats. The Billy Goats have struggled mightily in front of goal, with just 16 goals. Davie Selke leads the team in scoring with just five goals.
However, Selkie won’t play this weekend due to a broken foot. Had the striker been fit, perhaps Koln wouldn’t be in the bottom three. Mark Uth could return from injury, but Luca Waldschmidt is ruled out with a broken leg.
With all of Koln’s issues and Bayer’s great form, our algorithm predicts a win for the Company XI. Bayer should win with ease once more over Koln, 2-0, and go 24 matches without a loss in the Bundesliga.