Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen

Seven games into the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich find themselves sitting fifth, five points behind leaders Union Berlin. Following the international break, Friday night sees Julian Nagelsmann’s side host Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena with both teams in desperate search for a win.

Bayern Munich are without a win in four Bundesliga games for the first time since 2001. A 1-0 defeat against Augsburg in their last outing was the first time in 87 Bundesliga games that they’ve failed to score. Despite that, Nagelsmann still has the backing of Bayern president Herbert Hainer and sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić, whilst Joshua Kimmich has also voiced his support within the dressing room.

With three successive draws and a defeat against Augsburg, Bayern have only scored four goals in their last four Bundesliga games. Despite a good first impression from their opening three games, questions are already being asked as to whether the attack can find their groove following the absence of Robert Lewandowski. Serge Gnabry has struggled for form and Thomas Müller has largely been ineffective. The latter averaged 2.7 key passes per 90 across all competitions last season but is down to just 1.62 this campaign. Averaging a goal every 163 minutes in the Bundesliga, Sadio Mané has been criticised of late but is currently adapting to a new league and Bayern’s style of play.

Nagelsmann has deviated from his 4-2-2-2 that he used in the early parts of the season to a 4-2-3-1, but without that focal point of Robert Lewandowski, they’ve struggled to convert their chances. Bayern (82) have created the most chances in the Bundesliga this season, ahead of Borussia Dortmund (58) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (56). When it comes to conversion rate, Bayern are ranked seventh.

Meanwhile Bayer Leverkusen find themselves down in 15^th, with just one win in seven Bundesliga games. Following a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen prior to the international break, club bosses held a crisis meeting and it’s likely that Gerardo Seoane needs a win against Bayern Munich to save his job.

Unfortunately for Leverkusen and Seoane, this appears to be a difficult task. Bayern Munich are undefeated in 23 of their last 25 home games against Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions. Seoane’s Leverkusen (17%) this season are the fourth worst team in the Bundesliga when it comes to converting chances and Lukas Hradecky is also prone to making an error in goal.

Friday’s game against Bayer Leverkusen is an excellent chance for Bayern Munich to find their winning streak again. Although winless in four, they haven’t lost confidence and they still create chances, it’s just a matter of converting them. Bayern Munich to win.

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