Bayer Leverkusen vs Holstein Kiel prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-10-04 13:30.
[p]With their 35-game unbeaten league run over and three points adrift of table-topping Bayern ahead of the round, Bayer Leverkusen have found the infancy of this season tougher going than the last. It was Bayern who held them to a 1-1 draw last weekend, but the reigning Bundesliga champions bounced back in midweek to secure a 1-0 win over AC Milan in UEFA Champions League action. [/p]
[p]It’s just as well they’ve been able to garner some momentum in Europe, as their return of ten points after five rounds is the worst five-game start to a Bundesliga title defence since 2012/13! An inability to keep the ball out of their own net is partially behind that, as they’re yet to keep a clean sheet this league season, with their ten goals leaked in five games almost half as many as they conceded in the entirety of last season (24)![/p]
[p]Welcoming a Holstein Kiel side yet to win a league game this season (D1, L4) should have them believing a clean sheet is around the corner, although Kiel themselves will be quick to point out they’ve racked up five goals across their last three league outings. Scoring isn’t really their problem though, it’s the pre-round league-high 17 goals they’ve conceded that are, with 12 of those coming across the last three games. [/p]
[p]Kiel are the first Bundesliga debutant to win none of their first five matches since Augsburg in 2011/12, and it’s hard to see that run ending at the home of the champions. But not all hope may be lost, as Kiel have displayed some impressive travelling form over their last 11 away games (W7, D3, L1) – one of few silver linings for them ahead of their near 1000 km round trip.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: By his own exceptionally high standards, Florian Wirtz won’t be happy with a two-game goal drought. If he’s to end it here, it could be an early one as five of his last seven club goals arrived before half-time. Alexander Bernhardsson has scored one of Kiel’s four away league goals this term, but they may not be keen for him to get another as three of his last five scoring appearances ended in defeat![/p]
[p]Hot stat: All ten league games involving Leverkusen or Kiel this season have seen at least two first-half goals. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Chris Wilson[/i][/p]