Game Overview
Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen face off on August 23, 2024, in a crucial Bundesliga fixture at Borussia-Park. Leverkusen, under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, have been dominant this season, while Monchengladbach has struggled with consistency, making this a potentially one-sided affair.
Team Form and Recent Performance
Borussia Monchengladbach:
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Recent Form: Monchengladbach has had a tough start to the season, struggling defensively and managing just one win in their last ten Bundesliga matches. Their most recent outing was a 4-0 defeat to Stuttgart, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.
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Last 10 League Games: 1 win, 4 losses, 5 draws. They have averaged 1.4 goals per game while conceding 2.1 goals, with key players like Robin Hack scoring 8 goals in this period. Despite their struggles, Monchengladbach showed some attacking promise in their recent 3-1 DFB-Pokal win over Erzgebirge Aue.
Bayer Leverkusen:
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Recent Form: Leverkusen comes into this match in excellent form, unbeaten in their last nine encounters with Monchengladbach. They have won eight of their last ten Bundesliga matches, drawing two. Their last match was a 2-1 win over Augsburg, showing both attacking flair and defensive solidity.
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Last 10 League Games: 8 wins, 2 draws. Leverkusen has been prolific in front of goal, averaging 2.8 goals per game, with Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface playing key roles. They have also been strong defensively, conceding just 0.8 goals per game, which has been crucial to their success.
Head-to-Head Record
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Last 10 Meetings: Leverkusen has dominated this fixture, winning seven of the last ten encounters, with two draws and just one loss. The last meeting ended in a 0-0 draw, but historically, Leverkusen has been the stronger side, particularly in recent years. Leverkusen has scored three goals in each of their last two visits to Borussia-Park, underscoring their attacking potency against Monchengladbach.
Key Players
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Monchengladbach: Robin Hack has been their standout player, scoring 8 goals. Other important players include Alassane Plea, who has shown flashes of brilliance, and Joseph Scally, the leading assist provider with three assists.
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Leverkusen: Florian Wirtz is a key player with 6 goals and 4 assists in recent games. Victor Boniface has also been crucial, especially with his two goals in the last encounter against Gladbach. Alejandro Grimaldo has contributed significantly with four assists.
Tactical Analysis
Monchengladbach is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on a balanced approach with Alassane Plea leading the attack. However, their defensive frailties could be exploited by Leverkusen, who are likely to deploy a 3-4-2-1 system under Xabi Alonso. Leverkusen’s formation allows them to dominate possession and control the midfield, with Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich key to breaking down Monchengladbach’s defense.
Market Analysis (Odds)
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Odds: Bayer Leverkusen is heavily favored at 1.60, reflecting their superior form and recent dominance in this fixture. Monchengladbach is a long shot at 5.00, with a draw priced at 4.33.
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Asian Handicap: Leverkusen -1 at +102 is a value bet given their form and Monchengladbach’s defensive issues. Leverkusen has covered this line in their last two away games, making it a strong betting option.
Predictions
Given the current form, head-to-head records, and tactical setups, Bayer Leverkusen is expected to secure a comfortable victory. A 3-1 win for Leverkusen seems likely, with their potent attack likely to exploit Monchengladbach’s defensive weaknesses.
Conclusion
This match heavily favors Bayer Leverkusen, who are in excellent form and have historically performed well against Monchengladbach. With a strong attack and solid defense, Leverkusen is expected to continue their dominance in this fixture.