Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig prediction 31.08.2024 | Bundesliga

• Competition: Bundesliga
• Date: Saturday, 31st August, 2024
• Kickoff: 17:30 UK / 18:30 CEST
• Venue: BayArena (Leverkusen)

Last year, Bayer Leverkusen had a historic season, winning both domestic competitions. They came close to completing the treble but lost to Atalanta in the Europa League finals. Over the Summer, there was a big question of whether the team's core would remain and, more importantly, whether the man who revolutionized Bayer, Xabi Alonso, would stay. To many football pundits' surprises, the team more or less remained intact and even added some depth. So, their goal for this season has to be to try to recreate the last one. They started the season well, winning all three games in three competitions and already securing one trophy - Super Cup.

Pretty much since arriving in the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig instantly became one the best teams in Germany - finishing in the top four in seven out of the eight seasons. Last year, they finished 4th, securing the Champions League Group phase for the sixth year in a row. This year, RB Leipzig started with a win against Essen in the Cup and against Bochum in the Bundesliga. However, the impression is that they did not get much better over the Summer, and many football pundits do not consider them as a serious title contender. Right now, the bookies see RB Leipzig as the 4th best team in Germany, offering odds around 13 for them to secure the Bundesliga title.

Bayer Leverkusen vs RB Leipzig pick: Bayer Leverkusen to win

Last year, Bayer Leverkusen had a magnificent season. They had 51 consecutive games without a loss before finally losing to Atalanta. In the Bundesliga, they had an amazing 83% win rate, and considering their squad pretty much remained the same, it is normal to expect they can have another great season. So far this season, they played three games and won all of them. One of those was after the penalty shootout in the Super Cup against Stuttgart, as it ended at 2:2 in regular time. Still, Bayer Leverkusen received a red card by the end of the first half and held its own regardless.

Last year, Bayer Leverkusen outplayed RB Leipzig in both h2h games, winning 3:2 on both occasions in super-exiting games.

RB Leipzig also started the season well, as they won both games and generally played well. They are looking good, no doubt about it. Still, considering the previous h2h games, combined with a home-pitch advantage, we give a slight edge to the reigning champs.