Bundesliga Preview | Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen: Will Gladbach finally taste victory in the Rhine Derby again? | OneFootball

On Saturday evening in the Bundesliga, we’re treated to another installment of a Rhine Derby between neighbours Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. It’s been a mixed season for both sides so far, but a win against their rivals on Saturday evening could make the table better for either side. 

Borussia Mönchengladbach

In their last five Bundesliga matches, Gladbach have one win, two draws, and two loses. Whilst not the best form in the world, Eugen Polanski’s side are sitting somewhat okayish in the table on 12th spot. Gladbach are in a much better position than at the start of the campaign, but will still feel they’ll need a couple of more wins on the board in the coming weeks to ensure that they steer clear of a relegation battle with positions below them getting ever tighter. 

The five places below Gladbach are separate by just five points, something that Gladbach fans and management will be looking at with caution. 

However, a win at home against their rivals this Saturday will just give them that extra bit of breathing space and could potentially get them into the top half of the table if other results go their way. 

The recent history of this fixture does not read well for Gladbach fans. In fact, you’d have to go back 13 Bundesliga fixtures and to November 2019 to discover the last time Gladbach got the better of Leverkusen. Since then, B04 have won eight times and drawn four times. 

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen responded well to their two successive defeats with two consecutive wins in their last couple of Bundesliga matchdays. The reaction has now put Kasper Hjulmand’s side into 6th position and four points off VfB Stuttgart in 4th. 

If there’s one thing that B04 needs now, it’s consistency. After their new year wobble, they’re now a part of the chasing pack and can’t afford any more slipups if they’re to achieve a Champions League finish this season. 

The reverse result in this fixture earlier in the campaign was a 1-1 draw, something which B04 will see as a big disappointed on Saturday evening. Hjulmand’s side will need to show the defensive qualities they’ve shown in recent weeks, keeping three clean sheets in their last four games in all competitions. During that time, B04 have also scored 10 goals. 

For Leverkusen this weekend, it’s a case of more of the same, please! 

Team News

Borussia Mönchengladbach

The usual suspects of Robin Hack, Tim Kleindienst, and Nathan N’Goumou are all still absent for Gladbach. However, top scorer Haris Tabakovic is available as he seeks to score his 11th Bundesliga goal this season. Philipp Sander is also available despite coming off with an injury against Werder Bremen last weekend.

Bayer Leverkusen

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken remains on the sidelines with Janis Blaswich expected to start between the posts once again. However, could Kasper Hjulmand add some spice to the fixture by giving former Gladbach keeper Jonas Omlin his first start for B04? Personally, I think that would be fantastic, but we’ll see. 

GGFN | Jamie Allen