Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen: Preview, predictions and lineups

The Bundesliga’s top two collide in the Champions League round of 16, with Bayern Munich hosting Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg on Wednesday night.

Leverkusen have once again impressed in 2024/25, but they look set to relinquish their Bundesliga crown to the country’s dominant force with Bayern rebounding in the wake of Die Werkself’s historic campaign.

Vincent Kompany’s side are currently eight points clear at the summit after Leverkusen squandered a golden opportunity to close the gap in their recent head-to-head duel. Bayern head into the bout off the back of emphatic victories over Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart, while the champions have lost just one game in 2025.

They’ve also enjoyed tremendous success in this fixture since Xabi Alonso took the reins. The Spaniard hasn’t lost any of his six meetings against the Rekordmeister, and his team claimed victory at the Allianz Arena in the DFB-Pokal last December.

The visitors qualified for the round of 16 automatically after finishing in the top eight of the league phase table, while Bayern squeezed past Celtic in the play-offs to advance into the knockouts.

Here’s 90min’s guide to this all-German affair in the Champions League.

Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Joshua Kimmich returned to training in the build-up to Wednesday’s first leg having recovered from a minor Achilles injury. The German national team skipper is expected to return to Kompany’s starting XI right away, although Leon Goretzka and Joao Palhinha performed well in Stuttgart.

Aleksandar Pavlovic is once again battling illness and is a doubt as a result. Tarek Buchmann recently underwent shoulder surgery and may not feature again this season.

Harry Kane’s minutes were managed two weekends ago against Eintracht Frankfurt, but he played the entirety of Friday night’s win.

Bayern predicted lineup vs Leverkusen (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Musiala, Sane; Kane

Alonso hinted that Edmond Tapsoba missed Leverkusen’s recent win over Frankfurt as a precaution, but there’s still some doubt over the defender’s status for Wednesday’s first leg.

The manager is hopeful that Tapsoba is fit to return, but the Spaniard may have to utilise either Mario Hermoso or Piero Hincapie in his backline.

Aleix Garcia should retain his place alongside Granit Xhaka despite Robert Andrich’s availability, while Martin Terrier and Jeanuel Balacion won’t play again this season due to long-term injury setbacks.

Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Bayern (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Garcia, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Tella, Wirtz; Schick.

Many are writing Bayern Munich off after their unconvincing display against Celtic, but Kompany’s side will take great confidence from their two most recent performances against tricky Bundesliga opponents.

This may not be a vintage iteration of Die Roten and Alonso’s Leverkusen have had their number since the Spaniard took charge, but pedigree and heritage matter in the competition. Bayern have it in abundance, and they’ll edge this tight first leg on home soil.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen

READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS & RATINGS HERE