Bayer Leverkusen continue their Bundesliga title defence against RB Leipzig this weekend.
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Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig odds
Find the latest match odds for Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed online football bookies. Odds are subject to change.
⚡Quick Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig betting tips
Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig predictions
New season, same old Bayer Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso’s team went the entire 2023/24 Bundesliga season undefeated,on their way to the title. A key feature of their campaign was their sheer amount of late goals they scored: from the 76th minute until full-time, Leverkusen made the net bulge a league-high 22 times.
They were at it again in gameweek one of 2024/25. Pushed all the way by Borussia Monchengladbach, it looked like Leverkusen were on course to drop two points in a 2-2 draw.
Instead, they won a penalty deep into second-half stoppage time. Florian Wirtz failed to convert, but he reacted quickly enough to score with the rebound and win his team the game.
Leverkusen are a fantastic side under Alonso. They are cohesive, balanced and play excellent football. But no one should underestimate their resilience and character either. Without those less tangible qualities, Leverkusen would not have won a domestic double last season.
“I have no explanation for that. It’s football. It’s happened for us a lot,” Alonso said afterwards. That is not a coincidence.
It was a huge boost to Leverkusen when Alonso confirmed in March that, despite interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid, he was staying at Leverkusen for another season.
Just as importantly – and to the surprise of many – the champions have kept virtually their entire squad intact this summer, excluding the exit of fringe players like Adam Hlozek.
The transfer window has not yet closed at the time of writing, but despite speculation throughout the summer it seems like Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Alex Grimaldo, Jonathan Tah and others are not going anywhere. Meanwhile Leverkusen have strengthened the group with the signings of Martin Terrier, Jeanuel Belocian and Aleix Garcia.
Bayern Munich should be better this time around, so Leverkusen will have a fight on their hands to retain the title. RB Leipzig, their opponents this weekend, could also get closer to the top in their third season under Marco Rose.
Leipzig edged out Bochum last time out, running out 1-0 winners courtesy of an Antonio Nusa goal. They are capable of giving Leverkusen a game on Saturday.
Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig betting tips
This has the potential to be a brilliant Bundesliga bout between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.
Draw – 3/1 (Sky Bet)
RB Leipzig waved goodbye to Dani Olmo in the summer, as the attacking midfielder joined Barcelona. But Leipzig are accustomed to losing key players, so his departure need not lead to a downturn – especially as Nusa and Xavi Simons have been brought in as replacements.
Moreover, Leipzig managed to keep hold of Benjamin Sesko, who was linked with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. There is plenty of cause for optimism at the Red Bull Arena.
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At the odds available, it is worth putting some money on a draw. It would be a surprise if Leipzig finished above Bayer Leverkusen this season, but they are definitely capable of matching them across 90 minutes.
Rose’s team only scraped past Bochum last time out, but they will be more effective against opponents like Leverkusen who will not simply sit deep and give them the ball.
Leipzig thrive in transition and they will get plenty of chances to break quickly at the BayArena. You can never rule out some late heroics from Leverkusen, but the hosts may have to settle for a point here.
⚽ Go for a draw at 3/1 with Sky Bet ⚽
Over 3.5 goals – 6/5 (Sky Bet)
It was no surprise to see Bayer Leverkusen involved in a five-goal thriller in gameweek one. Thirty-eight percent of their matches last term featured more than 3.5 goals, as did 47 percent of RB Leipzig’s.
That includes Leverkusen’s 3-2 home defeat of Leipzig on the opening weekend, as well as their away win in January by the very same scoreline.
With these sets of players on display and Alonso and Rose in the dugouts, this promises to be another entertaining, end-to-end encounter.
Long-serving centre-back Willi Orban will miss this game through suspension, potentially weakening Leipzig in defence.
But with the likes of Nusa, Sesko, Simons and Lois Openda to call upon at the other end, Leipzig will cause Leverkusen their fair share of problems too. Expect goals.
⚽ Tip over 3.5 goals at 6/5 with Sky Bet ⚽
Lois Openda to score any time – 2/1 (Sky Bet)
Openda enjoyed a fantastic season last time out, finding the net 24 times in the Bundesliga and 28 in all competitions.
Those tallies are even more impressive when you consider it was his debut campaign at Leipzig and in Germany.
The Belgium international was not on target against Bochum last time out, but he will be a threat this weekend.
Openda scored in both of his appearances against Leverkusen in 2023/24 and he can do so again here.
⚽ Choose Lois Openda to score any time at 2/1 with Sky Bet ⚽
📺 How to watch Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig
- Location: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany.
- Date and time: Saturday 31st August, 5.30pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Football.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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