Is Leverkusen continuing the upward trend?
There will be a traditional duel next Tuesday in the DFB Cup. That is when the teams of Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin meet, who have always been able to deliver better performances in their respective championships. The kick-off in the Bayer Arena on October 24 is already at 6:30 pm.
Current form Bayer Leverkusen
One must be held at the beginning. Bayer Leverkusen is certainly more likely to assess this season than in the previous year. Coach Heiko Herrlich has managed to give the team a face, Leverkusen has a clear play. In the results of the championship this did not happen for a long time. However, last weekend a trend reversal could have been launched. Leverkusen shot Borussia Mönchengladbach away 5: 1, pushing into the single-digit table area. In doing so, one achieved above all one. While during the last few weeks enormous efforts were made, which did not yield too much profit, Leverkusen on Saturday finally took advantage of the opportunities offered in an efficiency that had not been used to by the Gentlemen. A proof of this: Six times the “Werkself” shot at Gladbacher Tor, no less than five of these attempts landed at their destination. In addition, an early 0-1 defeat could be made. This is an enormously important and successful day for the team’s morale. We saw some strengths in the game, especially on the left, and Wendell pushed attacks. Leverkusen did not spend too much time with ball possession, only 42 percent of the games were recorded in 90 minutes. Again and again, the gorgeous elf kicked off the ball. A way of playing that had been practiced in the weeks before, but as I said before without the chances of the chances that resulted from it. However, we still see a potential for improvement in table ninth. In the center there were always gaps, into which Gladbach bumped and thus attacks could initiate. Accordingly, it is on Tuesday to be somewhat more compact and more defenseless to defend. The fact is, however, that Leverkusen has still not lost a single game this season, currently holding three wins and two draws. Also, the glorious eleven last four games in series has not lost, at all there was only one failure in the last six matches. The defensive “Werkself” is much more stable in home games than abroad. Not even half of the contenders, who had to be taken away, were conceded in their own stadium.
Current Form 1. FC Union Berlin
In the pre-season, the team of Union Berlin played a long time to the promotion to the Bundesliga. A goal, which is also followed in the new year. And currently the “iron” are also close to the ascent and relegation places. After eleven game days, you are in fourth place, and the second place is only four points. It is, however, also questionable how seriously Union can and will take the Cup duel with Leverkusen. The focus is certainly on the championship. A contrast to Bayer, because for the Rhinelander the trophy is the shortest way to the European Cup. Recently, however, the team of Jens Keller could put a similar series as Leverkusen. The last four matches have all won against the teams from Fürth (3: 1), Regensburg (2-0), Erzgebirge Aue and Kaiserslautern. To be praised is especially the offensive division of the main cities, because the league table of the 2. Bundesliga has always scored at least two hits in these games. The Union’s attackers are among the best in the league. Only Nuremberg and Holstein Kiel have scored more hits in the previous rounds than the Berliners. The fact is, however, that one was much more dangerous at the local forester’s farms than abroad. Only nine out of 23 season-holders will be in the stadium, and the only two defeats against Düsseldorf and Sandhausen have been played in away games. With all the success, one should not forget that the last defeated opponents were not necessarily among the top teams of the 2nd Bundesliga, all of which were found in the lower half of the table. The trophy is, however, made for a strong group like Union Berlin, which was shown already last season, when in the second round Borussia Dortmund to the edge of a defeat brought, only in the extension the short ones pulled. Bitter: Uchida is missing an experienced man who could have helped the team on Tuesday with certainty. Otherwise, however, Trainer Keller can build on all his core players. Sebastian Polter, who has scored six times in eleven games, will be responsible for the goals. Strengths we see clearly in the game over the wings, also against Fürth with Hedlund and Gogia both wingers successfully, in addition with short way an outside defense.
PREDICTION:Bayer 04 Leverkusen win @ 1.35
