Bayer Leverkusen & Borussia Mönchengladbach kick off the 2024-2025 Bundesliga this upcoming Friday at Borussia-Park. Leverkusen are coming off the season of their lives as they were crowned champions of the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Before last year, Bayern Munich were title winners eleven years running; an incredible feat.
The hosts finished 14th last season and will be hoping to better their recent campaigns, while the visitors come into the game fresh from their German Super Cup victory against Stuttgart last Saturday.The hosts began their 2024-25 season with a 3-1 win against Erzgebirge Aue in the DFB-Pokal on August 17, though they were made to sweat after conceding first in the eighth minute.
The fact Die Fohlen struggled against a team from the third division of German football is an unwelcome optic for boss Gerardo Seoane, who is hoping he can arrest his side’s slide towards the relegation spots over recent seasons.
Borussia Monchengladbach finished their 2023-24 campaign with 34 points, just one more than 16th-placed Bochum, who ended up in the league’s relegation playoff spot.However, their poor showing last term was just one of many disappointing seasons since finishing fourth in 2019-20, as the club has not ended any of the last four seasons higher than eighth.
Seoane’s side collected just 14 points from 17 games in the second half of their 2023-24 Bundesliga campaign and failed to win any of their final six league matches.They also failed to win any of their last six games at Borussia-Park in the Bundesliga, although when factoring in their six pre-season friendlies, they have won their last seven matches overall.
Opponents Bayer Leverkusen were taken to penalties in the Super Cup final against Stuttgart last weekend after drawing 2-2, but Xabi Alonso’s side emerged as 4-3 victors in the shootout.Leverkusen were no strangers to late comebacks last term, and this experience proved vital against Stuttgart as Patrik Schick netted an 88th-minute equalizer to level the score at 2-2.
Alonso’s win in the final means he has clinched every domestic trophy available to him at the club, but their victory was made even more remarkable considering his side were forced to play with 10 players after Martin Terrier was sent off in the 37th minute.Their triumph also means that Alonso has won three of Die Schwarzroten’s total of five major trophies, and he is the only manager in Bundesliga history to guide a team to an unbeaten league title.
Bayer Leverkusen scored 89 goals and conceded 24 times last campaign and this made them the division’s second-best offensive and best defensive team.Including their four pre-season fixtures, Leverkusen have only won once in their last five matches, though they have prevailed in 14 of their last 17 away games in the Bundesliga.
Gladbach vs. Leverkusen Odds
| Gladbach | Draw | Leverkusen |
| +400 | +340 | -165 |
| ** ESPN Bet Odds Subject to Change** | ||
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen Match Details
- Fixture: 24/25 Bundesliga
- Date and Time: Friday, August 23 2024, 1:30 pm CT
- Location: Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany
- Weather: Cloudy, 76°
- Field Type: Natural Grass
Team News
Gladbach
Omlin, Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz, Reitz, Weigl, Honorat, Stoger, Hack, Kleindienst
Leverkusen
Hradecky, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Adli, Boniface
Prediction
Although Bayer Leverkusen have not been in the strongest form since the end of 2023-24, they demonstrated that they still have what it takes to win when it matters most. Additionally, considering Borussia Monchengladbach’s poor showing last term, it would be surprising if they managed to avoid defeat. Take Leverkusen ML here @ -165.
Final Pick
Bayer Leverkusen ML @ -165
For More Great Content
Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily detailed articles on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Gaming, Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, and Total Apex Sports Bets.
