Gladbach can inflict more Bayer misery in Bundesliga battle
Published:
Lee Gormley | December 11, 2015
Bayer Leverkusen v Borussia Monchengladbach
- Bundesliga
- Saturday, December 12th
- Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
- BayArena, Leverkusen
- Live on BT Sport 1
Both side’s European hopes shattered
Both Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach will look to banish their European heartache from midweek as they return to domestic duties with a Bundesliga battle at the BayArena, with the visitors aiming to overturn a poor fixture run of just one win in six previous meetings since 2012.
Roger Schmidt’s Leverkusen could only manage a 1-1 draw with a second-string Barcelona side, while Gladbach were toppled 4-2 by Manchester City, as both failed to reach the Champions League last 16 this week.
The two German clubs will look to vent some frustration in this pick of this weekend’s Bundesliga action, but the hosts were at least left with a Europa League spot as consolation, and Leverkusen are now 12/5 with Coral to win with both teams scoring.
Gladbach high from Schubert effect
Despite their European ventures coming to an end this season, it’s Andre Schubert’s Gladbach that are the domestic team of the moment, following a superb triumph over reigning champions and dominant league leaders Bayern Munich last time out.
That impressive 3-1 win injected some interest into the title race this term, but it also highlighted the immense impact new coach Schubert is having on the club, as they have now gone 10 successive games unbeaten since his appointment. This is a far cry from starting the campaign with five straight defeats under his predecessor Lucien Favre.
The visitors to Leverkusen have brilliantly stormed to third position in the standings this term, but are a massive nine points adrift of runaway second-placed Borussia Dortmund. Though they have momentum on their side and are 27/10 to earn another three points on their travels.
Bayer frustration growing
It’s evident that Bayer boss Schmidt is starting to feel the heat, and the players’ frustration was also highlighted during the decisive European draw with Barca, as star striker Javier Hernandez and attacker Karim Bellarabi nearly came to blows after a failed forward move.
Former Manchester United frontman Hernandez has been a revelation in his new surroundings since arriving, netting 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions recently, bringing his tally to 16 so far this clinical campaign. The Mexican marksman is 5/1 to bag a brace or more in his latest club outing.
Set-piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu has continued his fine form from last term too, becoming another positive in an indifferent season to date, and the midfielder is 2/1 to strike again anytime on home soil.
Winter Bundesliga break approaching
With the Bundesliga’s winter break commencing after two more domestic matchdays, Bayer will look to overturn their recent stuttering form swiftly before then, but they may face a tough test against Gladbach’s frontline.
American forward Fabian Johnson was on target in the 3-1 Bayern victory and is 13/5 to strike again anytime in this visit to the BayArena, having emphatically tucked away four goals in as many recent matches, while Raffael Caetano is 13/2 to open proceedings.
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Coral’s top tip: Bayer Leverkusen need a win fast before the winter break, but Borussia Monchengladbach are the in-form side currently, so back the visitors for victory at 27/10.
