Bayer Leverkusen vs Eintracht Frankfurt prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2023-12-16 16:30.
With an impressive haul of 36 points from the opening 14 rounds, Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying their joint-best ever start to a league season (W11, D3). The Eternal Bridesmaids added to their unfortunate nickname by finishing second in that 2001/02 season, causing a sense of trepidation around the club’s title chances despite remaining unbeaten in every competitive game this season, which is a feat that helped them top their Europa League group in midweek (W6).
Despite the seemingly endless list of positives, Xabi Alonso’s men have missed two big opportunities to extend their lead at the Bundesliga peak by drawing their last two league games against Stuttgart and Dortmund. Now at risk of failing to win three straight league games for the first time this season, Leverkusen will hope their robust defence – which has conceded just 12 league goals – can lay the foundations for a return to winning ways here.
In stark contrast to their hosts, Eintracht Frankfurt travel here on the back of just one win across their last seven competitive games (D1, L5), a run bookended by a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen in European action. Granted, Frankfurt had already done enough to qualify for knockout football in the spring, yet they’ll need to try and bounce back as they bid to remain in the hunt to secure European football for next season.
Competitive wobbles aside, only Bayern Munich (24) have scored more goals than Frankfurt’s 20 in Bundesliga action since round seven, suggesting they’ll come here looking to get on the front foot. That could be crucial as they bid to end their longest ongoing losing run against a specific opponent away from home in this particular H2H (L9).
Players to watch: Marauding full-back Alejandro Grimaldo has been a revelation for Leverkusen since his move this season, contributing to 11 goals from just 14 league appearances (G7, A4). His primary concern will be to contain the likes of Frankfurt forward Ansgar Knauff, who was on the winning side in each of his last six scoring appearances for his club.
Hot streak: This fixture has never ended 0-0 after 76 prior meetings, a Bundesliga record between any two sides (BAY: W35, D13, L28).