Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Die Fohlen searching for first win | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen

Like Gladbach, Leverkusen have already sacked a head coach this season, dismissing Erik ten Hag after just three games in charge. Die Werkself quickly turned to former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand, who kicked off his tenure with a 3-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Two Álex Grimaldo free-kicks helped Leverkusen clinch the spoils, despite finishing the game with nine men.

Grimaldo netted another stunning free-kick in Thursday’s Champions League away clash against Copenhagen. The wing-back cancelled out Jordan Larsson’s opener in the 82nd minute, before Robert quickly restored Copenhagen’s advantage. However, Leverkusen managed to salvage a 2-2 draw thanks to an 91st-minute own goal, ensuring they returned to Germany with a point to show for their efforts.

Having gone three games without defeat, Leverkusen will be confident of picking up another positive result on Sunday after winning nine and drawing two of their last 11 Bundesliga games against Gladbach. In fact, Leverkusen completed a league double over die Fohlen last term, clinching a 3-2 away win in August 2024, before running out 3-1 winners in January’s home clash.

Team News

Leverkusen are without the injured duo of Exequiel Palacios and Martin Terrier. Hjulmand is hopeful that Nathan Tella will prove his fitness in time to play a role in Sunday’s fixture.

Meanwhile, Robert Andrich and Equi Fernández are both set to serve one-match bans after being sent off against Frankfurt last weekend.

Predicted lineup: Flekken; Quansah, Badé, Tapsoba; Vázquez, Tillman, García, Grimaldo; Tella, Echeverri, Schick

Gladbach

Gladbach are searching for a new permanent head coach after sacking Gerardo Seoane following a poor start to the season. Die Fohlen started the Bundesliga campaign with a goalless draw against Hamburg, before they suffered back-to-back defeats against Stuttgart and Werder Bremen. Last Sunday’s heavy 4-0 loss to Werder ultimately proved to be Seoane’s final game in charge of the club.

Seone has left Gladbach in 16th position, with die Fohlen one of two teams yet to score in the Bundesliga this season. They are also one of four clubs that are still waiting for their maiden league win of the 2025-26 campaign.

In fact, Gladbach have gone 10 consecutive Bundesliga games without a victory since they beat RB Leipzig 1-0 in March. Their hopes of ending that run on Sunday will be tempered by the fact that they have not beaten Leverkusen since they recorded a 2-1 away win in November 2019.

Team News

Gladbach have confirmed that Robin Hack will undergo knee surgery on Saturday. As a result, the forward has joined an injury list, which includes Tim Kleindienst, Nathan Ngoumou and Niklas Swider.

Predicted lineup: Nicolas; Scally, Elvedi, Diks, Ullrich; Reitz, Stöger, Sander; Reyna, Netz, Machino