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Match Preview for Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen
Two giants of German football meet in the Champions League this week when Bayern Munich host Bayer Leverkusen.
Vincent Kompany is hoping to raise his reputation as a head coach by beating his highly-rated rival Xabi Alonso for the first time this season.
And expectations for Bayern are high this term having finally returned to their best form.
They lead the way in the Bundesliga standings, eight points ahead of last season’s winners.
But Leverkusen remain a very dangerous team under their Spanish head coach.
Midfielder Florian Wirtz is flying, scoring six goals and grabbing one assist in the competition so far, just two shy of Michael Ballack’s club record of nine goal involvements in Europe.
On the other side, Harry Kane remains more determined than ever to end his long trophy drought.
And with the Bundesliga crown looking more likely, he can turn more of his focus to Europe, having gone so close with Tottenham in 2019.
Bayern sit on the kinder side of the draw, and if they overcome their rivals will face either Inter Milan or Feyenoord in the quarter-finals.
Real Madrid and Liverpool are both on the opposite side, meaning they cannot face them until the final.
It’s a new #UCL week! 🔥
Full focus on #FCBB04! 💪#FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/RwWV8SvgQ8— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) March 3, 2025
Team news for Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen
Both teams have relatively healthy squads heading into this huge tie.
Bayern are hoping to have Joshua Kimmich back and available after the German returned to training last weekend, with talks over a new contract still ongoing.
Eric Dier and Aleksandar Pavlovic both missed training on Sunday with minor illnesses but should recover for Wednesday’s game.
Kane is back to full fitness after facing a scare a few weeks ago, and he will be looking to add to his 20 goal contributions in the competition since the start of last season.
For Leverkusen, Piero Hincapie will be available after serving his suspension in the Bundesliga over the weekend, but Jeanuel Belocian will be missing in defence.
Martin Terrier is the other missing name for Alonso, who has most of his squad available to him.
Expected line-ups for Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Palhinha, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Aleix Garcia, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Tella, Schick, Wirtz
This is MASSIVE! 🔥#UCL | #FCBB04 pic.twitter.com/P1Grt1uiE9
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 3, 2025
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen: TV channel, online live stream
The match will be shown live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK with kick-off at 20:00. You can also stream it on the discovery+ app.
The Stats for Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich have won 7 of the last 8 home matches while scoring more than 2.5 goals
- In 7 of the last 8 Bayern Munich home matches the number of goals was over 2.5
- In 4 of the last 5 Bayer Leverkusen away matches in the Champions League, the number of goals was over 2.5
- Bayern have only lost 1 of their last 11 last-16 home legs, scoring 41 goals in the process
- Leverkusen are unbeaten in all 3 meetings against Bayern this season