Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Bundesliga newcomers RB Leipzig’s 3-1 win at home to Mainz 05 before the international break put them equal to the all-time Bundesliga record of ten matches without defeat as a newly-promoted club (W7 D3). Leipzig sit joint top on points with reigning champions Bayern Munich, who also have 24 points (W7 D3), and are already being talked up as genuine European candidates following this run which has even seen them better sides even as strong as Borussia Dortmund. Leipzig have clearly made some wise-investments over the transfer window, spending about £20 million in total, and their quickly built solidity is taking the Bundesliga by storm – the Red Bulls are the most in-form side in the division, coming into this off the back of five consecutive league wins.

Meanwhile, hosts Bayer Leverkusen have had an uncharacteristically shaky start to their season. Leverkusen just about clinched wins against out-of-form sides Wolfsburg, against whom they won 2-1 away, and Darmstadt, against whom they won 3-2 at home, from their last two. Notably, the root cause of Leverkusen’s problems seem to be coming from the back – three of their five wins so far this season have come from 1-0 behind and Leverkusen have failed to keep a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 Bundesliga matches.

Leverkusen are the bookies’ favourites ahead of this match at 5/4 with bet365. However, we feel Leipzig has to be the better value here given the two side’s respective consistencies. RB Leipzig are unbeaten in ten league matches, whereas, Leverkusen have drawn or lost in half of their Bundesliga matches so far (W5 D1 L4). Bayer Leverkusen’s notable defensive problems have, in particular, seen them struggle to maintain their notoriously strong home form over recent weeks – Leverkusen have lost or drawn in four of their last 6 competitive home matches (66%), including a 3-0 defeat at home to the comparably in-form Hoffenheim. As such, RB Leipzig to win or draw at 4/6, though somewhat short, does seem a better value bet than a home win here.

Leverkusen’s goal trend at the BayArena sees them rarely score just a single goal in the Bundesliga; they either score two or more or fail to score altogether. Leverkusenhave failed to score more often than not in recent weeks – failing to score in three of their five most recent competitive home matches – and considering that RB Leipzig have kept a clean sheet in three of their four most recent away matches a correct score bet of RB Leipzig to win 1-0 at 10/1 with bet365 seems a decent shout here.