Bayer Leverkusen-Stuttgart is a match valid for the 31st day of Bundesliga and is played on Saturday at 6:30pm: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
In Germany they are already calling it the Bayer Leverkusen of the “invincibles.” Yes, it’s true, there are still several games left until the end of the season. But what Xabi Alonso’s team is accomplishing is really something sensational. The Aspirins have been undefeated for as many as 45 games, and even when it seems that the streak of positive results is about to break, here comes the “denial.” A week ago, the Rossoneri reeled Borussia Dortmund back in at Signal Iduna Park in full recovery thanks to a Stanisic goal (1-1).
And yet in the league Bayer has nothing left to say after securing its first Meisterschale as early as last April 14, when the arithmetic came in the challenge with Werder Bremen. Since then, Schick and his teammates have avoided defeat in the Europa League match with West Ham, qualifying for the semifinals for the second year in a row (they will face Roma next Thursday) and snatched a point at home to the Yellowonians, extending their unbeaten streak. Alonso wants his men to keep their spirits up ahead of their cup commitments. Bayer Leverkusen, in addition to the Europa League, will have a chance at the end of May to win the German Cup as well, where they will play a Zweite Liga club, Kaiserslautern, in the final.
On this weekend, surprising Stuttgart will try to stop the Aspirins’ run: the Swabians are in the thick of the race for a place in the next Champions League, but in the last round, after cashing in an unexpected defeat to Werder Bremen (2-1), they lost some altitude, with Leipzig and Dortmund nibbling away a few points. The lead of Stuttgart, momentarily third, over the chasers is still wide, but Sebastian Hoeness’s men certainly cannot stop at the best of times.
The prediction
Much will depend on the choices of Alonso, who seems geared to rotate several pawns ahead of the challenge with Roma at the Olimpico. But, honestly, we don’t feel like going against this Leverkusen. Stuttgart, moreover, has only one win against Werkself in the last twenty-five matches.
Bayer Leverkusen-Stuttgart likely lineups
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-2-1): Hrádecký; Stanišić, Tah, Tapsoba; Tella, Palacios, Andrich, Grimaldo; Adli, Wirtz; Boniface.
STOCKHOLD (4-4-2): Nübel; Stenzel, Anton, Ito, Mittelstädt; Leweling, Karazor, Dahoud, Führich; Undav, Guirassy.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
