Bayern visit Bayer Leverkusen looking to ‘turn the tables’ at the top of the Bundesliga

Bayern’s game away at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday isn’t simply a top-of-the-table encounter (kick-off at 18:30 CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and web radio). The Werkself and record champions have 52 and 50 points respectively after 20 games – totals that have previously always seen a team go on to lift the title. Given the consistent performances from both challengers, things will be far from over regardless of the result after 90 minutes at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

Check out the photos from final training on Friday:

State of play

Bayern have done what they can in the build-up to the big game in Leverkusen, according to head coach Thomas Tuchel following last weekend’s 3-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. A sixth victory in the last seven Bundesliga fixtures means top spot is once again in their own hands, as three points again in Leverkusen will see the defending champions leapfrog the Werkself into first place. And that’s exactly the objective: “We’re going to Leverkusen to turn the tables and lay our cards on the table,” Tuchel stated at his press conference on Friday where he also called for a “statement performance” from his team.

“We’ve still got room for improvement. We feel ready to take the next step and want to challenge Leverkusen,” the 50-year-old added. Despite losing players to international tournaments and injuries, his team have “never let up”. Now it’s a “week that feels different from other weeks because we know what’s coming. It’s the moment to step things up a notch,” the boss also said. “But we’re going to Leverkusen to win, nothing else,” he affirmed.

Read up on what Tuchel had to say at his press conference:

Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen

What Leverkusen have done this season is extraordinary. They are yet to taste defeat at all across their 30 competitive fixtures spanning the Bundesliga, UEFA Europa League and DFB Cup. During the week they reached the semi-finals of the latter by twice coming from behind to beat VfB Stuttgart. That morale and tireless belief in their strengths means the dream of a first trophy since 1993 continues. So much of that is down to former Bayern midfielder Xabi Alonso, who’s gone from leader and strategist on the field to highly acclaimed coach off it.

The Spaniard has guided the Werkself to their best-ever Bundesliga campaign so far with 52 points after 20 games – in fact, it’s the third-best haul by any team in the league’s history. “We’re having a good moment and want to keep that going,” a confident Alonso said ahead of the match. He’s also called for a “collective performance and a good balance” in order to get a result against “the best German team with the highest individual quality”.

Read up on the facts ahead of the game:

Team news

Tuchel is set to have Joshua Kimmich, Minjae Kim and Dayot Upamecano available to him once again after they all returned to training this week. “If nothing happens, they’ll all be in the squad,” the coach confirmed. A decision on whether Manuel Neuer can feature will only be made on Saturday afternoon after he had to sit out some of the week with a knee complaint. New signing Bryan Zaragoza has been struck down by flu as well. Those who definitely won’t be involved are Alphonso Davies (MCL), Kingsley Coman (MCL) and Bouna Sarr (ACL). Daniel Peretz (MCL), Konrad Laimer (calf) and Serge Gnabry (muscular) are all still in recovery training.

Hosts Leverkusen are without Arthur (thigh), Exequiel Palacios (thigh), Odilon Kossounou (AFCON) and Victor Boniface (muscular).

Take a look back at some special meetings at the BayArena:

What the coaches say