Bayer Leverkusen vs Eitracht Frankfurt
Domestic football is back on the agenda folks and in Germany there’s a cracking clash to open up the weekend when Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs Frankfurt is the action at the BayArena on Friday night.
It has been a tumultuous summer in Leverkusen; just 12 months since Die Werkself won the 2024 Bundesliga title the club is in a state of some disarray. First Xabi Alonso, the man who led them to that historic title, went to Real Madrid; then there was an exodus of some of the club’s most valuable players and now, after a slow start to the campaign they have already had a change of manager.
Erik Ten Hag was on thin ice, maybe, but few outside Leverkusen thought his job was at risk until the axe fell after just two games, and now the board has moved to bring in former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand. He had great success as an international manager, leading Denmark to the 2020 European semi-final, but his club management experience is limited outside Denmark, with just one season at FSV Mainz in 2014/15.
And Die Werkself could have had a gentler restart to their Bundesliga campaign as Dino Toppmoller’s Eintracht Frankfurt are certainly in a good place; third placed finishers last term and second in the early Bundesliga table, as one of only three teams with two wins from two.
The pre-match Leverkusen vs Frankfurt betting odds predict a hard fought match between two teams hopeful of battling for a top four place, but all the pressure is on the hosts.
Talking Points
Bayer’s case for the defence
Amidst the turmoil at the BayArena it’s hard to put your finger on the biggest problem but, while the club has lost it’s most valuable creative player in Florian Wirtz, as well as their manager; Hjulmand is likely to start his work by making Leverkusen more resolute and difficult to beat. And his first task is to shore up the club’s defence after they conceded five goals in two games, losing 2-1 away to TSG Hoffenheim and drawing 3-3 against the ten men of Werder Bremen, and that after holding a two goal lead.
In the transfer window they lost captain and keeper Lukas Hradecky, centre back Jonathan Tah and wingback Jeremie Frimpong. The club has splashed the cash on centre back Jarrel Quansah, but the 22 year old has only started 17 senior games and he has big shoes to fill from the departed Tah.
On a brighter note centre forward Patrick Schick has scored three goals already and Malik Tillman also bagged on his debut against Bremen.
Fast start for new look Eintracht
While there has been a rapid turnover of playing staff at Leverkusen the transfers have been flowing in Frankfurt as well, but the Eagles seem to be able to cope better and have a conveyor belt of talent. Last season they lost top scorer Omar Marmoush and still finished third and, after the departure of Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool, they have started the season with two wins, for the first time since 2012.
In the SBOTOP review of the summer transfer window I highlighted Leverkusen as a club which had a poor return while Eintracht had reason to be hopeful, with Jonathan Burkardt brought in to replace Ekitike, though he has suffered an early season injury. Another arrival, Japanese winger Ritsu Doan has started well, scoring two goals in the DFB Pokal and two in the league. At the back the Eagles have lost keeper Kevin Trapp and he has been replaced by Michael Zetterer, while Nnamdi Collins has been moved into a centre back position to partner Robin Koch.
History
Die Werkeslf have had the better of the head to head Leverkusen vs Frankfurt results this century, with 21 wins to the Eagles’ 13, and there have been three draws in the last 37 meetings. Bayer have scored 82 goals to Eintracht’s 49 over that period and this fixture often produces plenty of goal action.
In terms of the recent form, in six games spanning this season and the last fixture of the 2024/25 campaign, Leverkusen have won one game, draw two and lost three, while the Eagles have won five and drawn one.
Betting Tip
With a home win at 2.30 and an away win at 2.72 this fascinating clash could go either way but I’m going for a rare draw between Bayer and Eintracht.
Over those most recent 12 games involving the two teams, there have been 54 goals, at an average of 4.5 so, for an alternative bet, Over 3.50 goals is priced at 2.25.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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