The 2023-24 Bundesliga title could be decided this weekend at BayArena when champions-elect Bayer Leverkusen take on Werder Bremen in the final match of gameweek 29.
With six rounds of games left until the end of the season, Leverkusen simply need to match Bayern Munich's result in the Bundesliga this weekend to secure the title for the first time in their history.
Match preview
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Bayer Leverkusen have looked a cut above the rest this season and currently lead the Bundesliga table, holding a 16-point advantage over reigning champions Bayern Munich, who have been a long way from their best this term.
If Die Werkself clinch the league title, it would mark the end of Bayern's recent domination of the German top flight, with Leverkusen becoming the first team to surpass the Bavarians for the title since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund back in 2012. Not to mention, it would also prolong Harry Kane's wait for his first career trophy.
Xabi Alonso's side's season has been truly remarkable, as they are the only club in the top flight that are still unbeaten and they will set a new Bundesliga record for the longest unbeaten start to a season at 29 games if they avoid defeat this weekend.
On top of that, with their place already secured in the DFB Cup final and this match wedged between their Europa League quarter-final tie with West Ham United, which they lead 2-0, Alonso's undefeated team is aiming for immortality in the coming weeks as they strive to complete the treble.
The BayArena has been an impregnable fortress for Die Werkself this season, with the team securing victory in their last eight home matches across all competitions. Additionally, they have maintained defensive solidity, keeping clean sheets in their last two matches, and it feels only fitting that they earn their first-ever league title in front of their fans in this one.
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As Bayer Leverkusen prepare for the title, Werder Bremen seem to have fallen off in recent weeks, failing to secure a victory in their last five Bundesliga matches, including four defeats during this stretch.
Die Werderaner will head into this encounter following a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in their last match when Milos Veljkovic broke the deadlock midway through the second half, but they were swiftly equalised against, resulting in both teams settling for a point apiece.
Despite being in contention for European qualification for a period, they have now slipped into mid-table following a six-match winless streak, and like so many teams in the league, Ole Werner's side suffered a comprehensive defeat (3-0) against this opponent earlier this season.
The visitors are also riding a three-match winless streak on the road in league games, and with just three away wins recorded all season, it comes as no surprise that Die Werderaner are showing up as massive underdogs for this match.
Team News
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As they prepare for what could be a historic evening at BayArena, Alonso has an almost full roster of players at his disposal, with only Adam Hlozek and 21-year-old defender Arthur listed as potential injury absentees.
Victor Boniface made his long-awaited return to action against the Hammers in midweek and marked the occasion with a goal off the bench; he could start a Bundesliga fixture for the first time since gameweek 15 in this one.
Bremen will undoubtedly love nothing more than to spoil what should be a carnival atmosphere in Leverkusen this weekend but are missing a number of key players due to injury, including their captain Marco Friedl.
Anthony Jung and Jens Stage will miss this trip to Leverkusen through suspension, while Dawid Kownacki, Justin Njinmah and Skelly Alvero have been ruled out due to injuries. Niklas Stark and Amos Pieper are flagged as doubts.
As a result, Werner will need to find ways to plug gaps, with Julian Malatini and Christian Gross likely to come into the three-man defence, and either Naby Keita or Romano Schmid will step back into the engine room.
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie, Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Hofmann; Boniface
Werder Bremen possible starting lineup:
Dudu; Malatini, Gross, Veljkovic; Weiser, Schmid, Lynen, Bittencourt, Agu; Woltemade, Kownacki
We say: Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Werder Bremen
Bayer Leverkusen have been head and shoulders better than every other side in the Bundesliga this season and now stand on the verge of claiming their first-ever league title. Die Werkself have taken on all-comers this term and we feel they will wrap up the title with a comfortable win in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
