FC Bayern Women have the first chance to complete their title defence in the Google Pixel Bundesliga as they go to Bayer Leverkusen for Matchday 20 on Saturday (kick-off at 12pm CEST). The right result will see Bayern lift their sixth league title with two games to spare. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the match in our preview.
State of play
Bayern claimed a 3-0 win at home to Werder Bremen in their most recent fixture. A header from Magdalena Eriksson and two brilliant goals from the halfway line by Jovana Damnjanovic and Georgia Stanway ensured the Munich ladies remain unbeaten in their 19 league fixtures this season. It was also the 14th time this Bundesliga campaign where Mala Grohs kept a clean sheet.
Bayern now go to Leverkusen able to secure their sixth league crown. Alexander Straus’s team simply need to match Wolfsburg’s result from their Friday fixture against Köln to retain their title for a second year.
Mala Grohs and Bayern want to wrap up the title at the first attempt in Leverkusen.
Opponent: Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen are currently sixth in the table after a 1-0 defeat away at promoted RB Leipzig last time out, following a 2-0 home win against third-place Eintracht Frankfurt. It’s at home where Bayer, who finished fifth last year, have done their best work this season, occupying fourth place in the table for home results with 18 points from nine games.
Team news
Straus remains without Franziska Kett (muscular), Weronika Zawistowska (cruciate ligament), Ana Maria Guzman (knee), Tainara and Alara Sehitler (both ill). Cecilia Ran Runarsdottirreturned to rehabilitation training from her knee injury on Thursday. There’s also positive news for Carolin Simon and Katharina Naschenweng as they will both be in the squad for the trip to Leverkusen.
Alexander Straus is looking for a 17th win from 20 games this Bundesliga season.
Pre-match quotes
Alexander Straus: “We’re confident, but we’ve also got great respect for Leverkusen. They made things tough for us away last year with a 0-0 draw. We want a performance in Leverkusen and to give our best.”
Sydney Lohmann: “Leverkusen are a good team and surely motivated to make our road to the title as tough as possible. We need a good performance, but we’re in good form and ready. I’m looking forward to the game.”
The stats and facts for Saturday in Leverkusen:
Topics of this article