Bayer Leverkusen are fourth in the Bundesliga ahead of the German league’s return this weekend. Despite being in the final Champions League qualification place, Bayer Leverkusen ended 2021 out of form.
The Company XI failed to win their last three Bundesliga games, losing two and drawing one. On Saturday, Gerardo Seoane’s Leverkusen host Union Berlin, who could overtake them in the Bundesliga table.
Union Berlin start the weekend in seventh place and just one point behind Bayer Leverkusen in the standings. The Irons are undefeated in their last two games.
Coach Urs Fischers’ team ended 2021 in good form, claiming positive results in their last two matches against Freiburg and Bochum.
These teams met in August to kick off the season with the game ending 1-1. It was the second straight 1-1 draw between them.
Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi scored in the seventh minute, but Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby levelled the score five minutes later.
Bayer Leverkusen have not lost to Union Berlin at the BayArena in the teams’ last four matches at the ground. The Company XI posted a record of 3W-1D-0L across those last four meetings at the BayArena.
Seoane has several players missing for the first weekend back in the Bundesliga. Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou are both away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah is a doubt due to an injury. Exequiel Palacios and Charles Aranguiz are both injured and set to miss the game. Julian Baumgartlinger has a knee injury but could return in time to play.
Fischer will be without leading goalscorer Awoniyi. The Nigerian international has nine goals, but is at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Sheraldo Becker and Pawel Wszolek both tested positive for COVID-19 and are set to miss out. Keita Endo and Laurenz Dehl are missing due to injuries.
Bayer Leverkusen are on a three-match undefeated streak at home going into Saturday’s game. They are +5 in goals scored this season at home.
Union Berlin are winless in four of their last five road games. They are –2 in goals away from the capital.
Bayer Leverkusen are undefeated in four straight games versus Union Berlin at the BayArena. The Company XI should continue that streak with a win at home this weekend versus the Irons.
Striker Patrik Schick has 16 Bundesliga goals, which is the second-most in the division. Schick could get on the scoresheet as Bayer Leverkusen win once more against Union Berlin at the BayArena.
The teams should combine for more than 2.5 goals and both teams score in the fixture.
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