Bayern München play host to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga's feature match this Saturday evening, with both sides looking to maintain 100% starts.

Overview and Form

The home side go into this meeting on the back of a late win against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim last weekend. Bayern fell behind after just nine seconds at the Rhein-Neckar Arena, Kevin Volland registering the Bundesliga's fastest ever goal, ousting Karim Bellarabi's recent record by 0.3 seconds.

Thomas Müller equalised before Bayern were reduced to ten-men and later saw Hoffenheim miss a penalty. And in true Bayern fashion, they stole the game from the hosts late on. Robert Lewandowski was on hand to tap home with only minutes remaining.

Bayern opened their campaign at home against Hamburger SV, and made light work of the Dino, beating them 5-0.

Roger Schmidt's Bayer Leverkusen also hold a 100% start to the Bundesliga season, having seen off Hannover 96 and, like Bayern, put Hoffenheim to the sword. 

However, Leverkusen actually come into this match after an impressive midweek 3-0 win against Italian side Lazio in Champions League qualification. Leverkusen's front four have gelled quickly and three of that front four, who operate in a 4-2-3-1 system, scored the all important goals against Lazio.

Schmidt will be hoping to see his side build upon an impressive start to the season, but knows it won't be an easy task taking on the reigning Bundesliga champions.

Head-to-head

Leverkusen actually won the last meeting between the two sides towards the back end of last season in May. Games between the two sides are often tight affairs and don't tend to throw up many goals, just eight in the last five meetings.

Bayern do hold the upper hand, winning twice, drawing twice, and losing just the once, however, Leverkusen have a miserable record at the Allianz Arena, having only won once in their last five visits to Bavaria, losing the other four matches.

Team News

Defensively, Pep Guardiola has somewhat of a crisis on his hands. With Jerome Boateng ruled out through suspension, and other centre-backs Mehdi Benatia, Javi Martinez and Holger Badstuber all sidelined through injury, he's left with no other natural centre-back other than Dante, who has been strongly linked with a move away from the club. Franck Ribéry also remains sidelined through injury.

Bayer Leverkusen's new signing Charles Aránguiz, Tin Jedvaj and Ömer Toprak are the only players not fit for Saturday's match-up with Bayern. All are sidelined through injury.

Key Players

Bayern new-boy Douglas Costa has hit the ground running since joining from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk and has been influential in his opening two games, so Schmidt and Leverkusen will be guarded to the threat he and his fellow Bayern attackers pose. Arjen Robben, Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski are all also likely to start.

Well known Turkish free-kick specialist Hakan Calhanoglu probably poses Bayer's biggest threat through the middle. He can pick a pass and has a shot to match. Out wide, Karim Bellarabi doesn't need asking twice to run at a defender. He chips in with his fair share of goals and assists.

Thoughts from the camps

Bayer Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt said that he wants his side to be worthy opponents when they travel to the Allianz on Saturday.

He also added, "There's no bigger challenge in the Bundesliga than playing against Bayern and it will be a tough task at the end of an exhausting week. We'll measure ourselves against the best of the best." Schmidt finished by saying, "It will be a tight match, but if we take our chances and make the right decisions going forward, then we will be able to compete on equal terms."

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola commented, "Bayer Leverkusen are definitely title challengers, they're a quality side and play an intense game". When questioned about his lack of defensive options, he explained that Xabi Alonso, David Alaba, Dante and Rafinha can all replace the suspended Boateng.

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