DFB Pokal: Bayern’s Treble Mission Continues in Leverkusen 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich

Newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich move on to the second leg of their 2026 treble bid when they face Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal semi-final on Wednesday.  

Vincent Kompany’s men are in the Champions League semi-finals, with a mouth-watering tie against 2025 winners Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to. And they will head to the BayArena in Leverkusen with the backing of their hoards of celebrating fans…and the DFB Pokal 2026 betting odds.  

While the Bavarians were beating Stuttgart to lift back-to-back titles under Kompany, a 2-1 defeat at home to FC Augsburg left Kasper Hjulmand’s Bayer down in sixth place and with plenty of work to do to win a Champions League place.    

Bayern Munich beat Red Bull Leipzig 2-0 to reach the semi-finals while Leverkusen overcame St Pauli 3-0, and the winners will meet either VfB Stuttgart or SC Freiburg in the May final.       

 

Talking Points

One down the two to go for Bayern

Bayern’s clash with Stuttgart on Sunday was made even more monumental following Borussia Dortmund’s loss to TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, meaning a win would secure the title, and Die Bayern delivered in their customary style. Hot on the heels of a stunning comeback against Real Madrid in midweek, the Bavarians came from behind again to beat Stuttgart. On Wednesday it was Alexsandar Pavlovic, Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise who punctured the Los Blancos’ defence. On Sunday it was Alphonso Davies, Raphael Guerrero and Nicolas Jackson, on loan from Chelsea who got Bayern’s noses in front before Kane climbed off the bench to score his 32^nd Bundesliga goal in 27 games and his 55^th from 47 matches in all competitions this season. 

The Bavarians have lost just once this season on their way to a 13^th title in 14 campaigns, and they are hot favourites to make it a domestic double in the DFB Pokal, and down to the last four in Europe. 

The treble is well and truly on.           

 

Wasteful Werkself pay the price 

While the Bavarians come into this semi-final in high spirits, their hosts are in need of a pick-up after losing a lead and conceding defeat deep into stoppage against Augsburg. Following a 6-3 thumping of Wolfsburg and a superb 1-0 win away to Borussia Dortmund this setback, at home to mid table Augsburg was a real kick in the teeth, and one which left Die Werkself four points adrift of fourth place, instead of one. 

Leverkusen rained down a whopping 36 shots on the Augsburg goal and ten on target but only had a Patrick Schick header to show for it. Fabian Rieder levelled for Augsburg and then took all three points when he converted a 97^th minute penalty after Montrell Culbreath had fouled Uchenna Ogundu.  

Wide men Nathan Tella and Alejandro Grimaldo were the biggest culprits, former Burnley star Tella missing a golden opportunity and claiming a penalty which wasn’t one, while Grimaldo hashed a finish when a simple pass to Tella would have produced a goal. It was a rare off day for the 30 year old Spain star, who has been pivotal in Die Werkself’s success in recent years, and it may be his last season at the BayArena with reports in the Spanish press suggesting he is ready for a new challenge.

If that is the case Grimaldo would dearly love to sign off with another winner’s medal.                

 

History

Bayern have won the DFB Pokal 20 times, but not since 2020, while Leverkusen won their second Pokal triumph in 2024, beating FC Kaiserslautern 1-0 in the final to complete a domestic double under Xabi Alonso. 

In terms of heads to head results, Bayern have won 31 matches to Bayer’s ten, in all competitions, and there have been 13 draws, while the margin at the BayArena is tighter, with Bayern leading by 13 to seven with eight draws, and when the two teams met just over a month ago, they shared the points in a 1-1 draw.   

While the Munich giants have won their last six games, scoring 22 goals along the way, Leverkusen have won two, lost two and drawn two of their last six.  

 

Betting Tip

With Leverkusen at 4.65 to win and the Draw at 4.40 the odds are very much in Bayern’s favour. The Bavarians are priced, here at SBOTOP, at 1.51 but in a knockout competition against such a strong opponent anything can happen. 

As with all clashes between these two clubs, I reckon the DFB Pokal 2026 highlights on Wednesday will be well worth a look, and for a correct scoreline, a 3-2 win to Bayern is priced at 12.75.  

   

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