Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

Latest

Lewandowski already has 28 goals for the Bundesliga season, putting him eight clear of injured Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick in the scoring charts. He's averaging a goal every 74 minutes for the Bundesliga leaders, and has only failed to score in six of his 24 league appearances. Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp kept the Bayern No.9 at bay last time out, but the record champions still came up trumps thanks to substitute Leroy Sane's second-half strike to go eight points clear at the summit. The Germany international's reward should be a return to the starting line-up, with Marcel Sabitzer likely to make way. Julian Nagelsmann is set to retain Jamal Musiala in midfield, though, and can also count on the Bundesliga's leading provider Thomas Müller following illness. In a further boost, captain Manuel Neuer could be an option after four top-flight games out with a knee injury, though Lucas Hernandez's one-match ban, coupled with Alphonso Davies' ongoing absence, means a probable three-man defence. Midfielders Leon Goretzka and Corentin Tolisso are definitely out.

No Schick didn't mean no party for Leverkusen a week ago. Argentine striker Lucas Alario marked a rare start with the opening goal against Arminia Bielefeld, before in-form France international Moussa Diaby scored twice to complete a 3-0 win and make it seven goals across his last five Bundesliga appearances. Paulinho completed Gerardo Seoane's front three on the day. The Olympic gold medal-winning Brazilian notched an assist, but could make way for Amine Adli in Munich. Defender Piero Hincapie, as well as central midfield pair Robert Andrich and Kerem Demirbay are also in line for recalls, after making second-half cameos on Matchday 24. One of the Bundesliga's form teams, with six wins from their last seven, Leverkusen begin the weekend with a four-point cushion on fourth-placed RB Leipzig. A first win at the Allianz Arena since 2019 would take them to within three of Borussia Dortmund, who travel to Mainz - the one side to have beaten Die Werkself this year - on Sunday.

Match stats

Lewandowski has only failed to reach double figures for goals against three of the 18 Bundesliga clubs he has faced at least 10 times. Leverkusen are one of them (eight goals in 19 appearances).

The game marks Nagelsmann's 335th in all competitions as a first-team coach (including U19s level). His record is: W185, D77, L72.

Bayern have won their last four league meetings with Leverkusen in a row, and have only lost four of the previous 28.

Diaby is enjoying career-best form with 12 goals and seven assists for the Bundesliga season.

Leverkusen have claimed 16 points to Bayern's 15 in seven Bundesliga games in 2022. Only Leipzig have more (18) this calendar year.

Die Werkself's 63 goals after 24 rounds of fixtures is a club record.

Probable line-ups

Bayern: Ulreich - Pavard, Süle, Upamecano - Kimmich - Gnabry, Musiala, Sane, Coman - Müller (c), Lewandowski

Out: Davies (heart), Goretzka (knee), Hernandez (suspended), Neuer (knee)

Doubtful: Tolisso (hamstring)

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Bakker - Aranguiz, Demirbay - Adli, Wirtz, Diaby - Alario

Out: Bellarabi (hamstring), Lunev (ankle), Schick (calf)

Doubtful: Andrich (knee), Azmoun (knee), Baumgartlinger (knee)

Coach: Gerardo Seoane