Why Bayern vs. Bayer Leverkusen is still a top match

Seven points separate Bundesliga leaders Bayern and fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. Based purely on the table, Saturday’s meeting of the last two champions doesn’t suggest an equal contest, but it’s still a fixture between two of Germany’s best teams right now. Leverkusen have earned 16 of a possible 18 points over the last six matchdays in the Bundesliga, which is a total only bettered by Bayern’s perfect haul. Here’s more stats and facts on why this weekend’s game is very much a big fixture.

Bayern on historic run

Vincent Kompany’s side are enjoying a perfect season thus far. Boasting eight wins from eight and a goal difference of +26, it’s the best record by any team in the history of the German top flight at this stage. The Reds have actually won their last 10 Bundesliga fixtures and are unbeaten in 17 going back eight months. The last of only two league defeats in the Kompany era – spanning 42 games – came at home to Bochum in March (3-2).

However, Leverkusen have also found form and are unbeaten in seven Bundesliga matches since their opening 2-1 loss at home to Hoffenheim.

Can Bayern end historic away run?

The Werkself come to Munich on a run of 37 Bundesliga away games without defeat (W25, D12), which surpasses the previous league record of 33 that Bayern set between 2012 and 2014. Leverkusen’s last league loss on the road came at Bochum in the final match of 2022/23. That streak will now be put to the test at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern have won each of their last eight competitive fixtures by an aggregate score of 29-2.

Frequent foes

Bayern and Leverkusen faced each other five times last season across the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League. FCB came out on top in the two legs of the latter to end a run of six competitive games against Bayer without a win. However, you have to go back to a 4-0 win at home in September 2022 for the last time Bayern beat Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

First goal wins?

Bayern are the only team across Europe’s top five leagues yet to fall behind in a league fixture this season. The Reds have also been ahead for the most minutes (591). Leverkusen have also scored first in all eight of their Bundesliga matches this term, although they have ended up dropping points in three of them. So whose run will continue this Saturday?

Bayern’s unstoppable attack

Bayern’s total of 30 goals from eight games is a new record in the Bundesliga. At home, they have netted at least twice in each of the last 19 league fixtures, which is the club’s second-longest such run in the Bundesliga after going 21 across 1972 and 1973. However, the last time FCB were restricted to fewer than two goals at the Allianz Arena was in the 1-1 draw with Leverkusen in September 2024.

Two teams that want to play

Bayern lead the Bundesliga this season for average possession (64.9 percent), passes per game (671) and pass completion (90 percent). Leverkusen rank second in all those metrics with 59.3 percent possession, 595 passes and 88 percent accuracy. The pair also top the division for goals from set pieces with 10 for Bayern and eight for Bayer.

Know your stuff? Try our Leverkusen matchday quiz: