Bundesliga Showdown: Bayer Leverkusen Hosts Bayern Munich This Weekend

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — The Bundesliga title race takes center stage this weekend as Bayer Leverkusen hosts Bayern Munich at BayArena on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Leverkusen, currently sitting second in the standings with 46 points, faces a daunting challenge against the league leaders, who are eight points clear following a recent victory over Werder Bremen.

Bayern Munich, under coach Vincent Kompany, enters this critical matchup riding high with a goal tally of 65 from 19 games this season, a pace that could see them finish with over 100 goals. Meanwhile, Leverkusen, coached by Xabi Alonso, experienced a surprising 0-0 draw against Wolfsburg, marking the first time in 18 matches they failed to score.

This matchup sees Leverkusen and Bayern facing off for the third time this season. Earlier contests resulted in a 1-1 league draw and a narrow 1-0 victory for Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal. Leverkusen’s strong home form includes 16 matches without defeat at BayArena, with three goals scored in three of their last four home fixtures.

Despite their unbeaten run, Leverkusen’s defensive struggles persist, with only three clean sheets in 12 Bundesliga outings. They find themselves needing a win to keep their title defense aspirations alive against a potent Bayern side. Key players like Victor Boniface and Florian Wirtz are expected to play crucial roles as Leverkusen aims to bolster their scoring opportunities.

Bayern Munich is dealing with its own injury concerns, as both Alphonso Davies and Daniel Peretz are sidelined. Raphael Guerreiro is anticipated to fill in at left back, while Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka are likely to anchor the midfield. The defending champions will look to find the back of the net early, considering they’ve scored three or more goals in 19 of their outings this season.

The stakes couldn’t be higher; a win for Leverkusen could breathe life into their title hopes, while a Bayern victory would reinforce their position at the top of the table. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CET (12:30 p.m. ET, 9:30 a.m. PT); viewers can catch the action live on ESPN+ in the United States.

As the Bundesliga season reaches its climax, both teams must navigate the pressure of retaining their respective competitive standing. An evenly matched contest could see goals from both sides, making a draw a plausible outcome. However, Leverkusen’s need for a win could lead to a thrilling encounter, with both teams potentially finding the net.