Cologne-Bayer Leverkusen is a match valid for the 24th day of the Bundesliga and is played on Sunday at 3:30pm: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
Bayer Leverkusen a week ago wrote an important piece of German soccer history, reaching 33 official matches without defeat. Surpassed, then, the record of Bayern Munich, which four years ago had stopped at 32: no one in Germany had ever recorded such a long positive streak. Going forward at this rate, Werkself could surpass even 2011-12 Juventus, which currently holds the European record (43 games without losing).
Numbers aside, this Bayer Leverkusen seems to have no weaknesses. On Sunday, it was also forced to raise the white flag against Mainz, bent 2-1 at the BayArena: fifth win in a row for the Aspirins, still in the running on three fronts. A real masterpiece is what Xabi Alonso is accomplishing, and it is not surprising that major clubs such as Liverpool and Bayern Munich are ready to vie for the former Real Madrid midfielder in the summer. The Basque coach, however, wants to stay focused on the present: he has a chance to take Leverkusen to the roof of Germany for the first time in its history and he definitely does not want to waste it.
Bayer, from the height of its 61 points, must ward off a possible comeback by Bayern Munich, the only team that could, in theory, still steal the title from them. The Bavarians, however, are eight points down.
Alonso’s men on this weekend will take the field knowing the result of the defending multiple champions and will face Cologne, fully involved in the fight not to relegate. The Billy Goats have changed pace with the arrival of the new coach, Timo Schultz, but the road to (direct) salvation is still a long one. In fact, the red-and-whites are sixteenth – they would currently play in the promotion-relegation playoff – and the gap to the fourth-last place is eight points.
The prediction
Last May it was Cologne that put an end to Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak, which had been going on for nine games. The guests are clear favorites but for them it may not be an afternoon of complete tranquility: the “goal” sign can be considered.
The likely lineups for Cologne-Bayer Leverkusen
COLONIA (4-2-3-1): Schwäbe; Carstensen, Kilian, Chabot, Finkgräfe; Martel, Huseinbašić; Ljubicic, Kainz, Maina; Thielmann.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-2-1): Hrádecký; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Adli.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
