Preview of the Rhine Derby: Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen

On Saturday evening, the Bundesliga will feature the much-anticipated Rhine Derby between local rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. Both teams have had a mixed season so far, but a victory for either side could significantly impact their league standings.

In their last five Bundesliga encounters, Gladbach secured one win, two draws, and two defeats. While their current form is not ideal, head coach Eugen Polanski’s squad finds themselves in 12th place, a marked improvement from their earlier season struggles. However, they will need to achieve additional victories in the coming weeks to avoid a potential relegation battle, as the five teams below them are separated by just five points—a detail that is certainly on the minds of both fans and management alike.

A home win against their rivals this Saturday would provide Gladbach with crucial breathing room and could elevate them into the top half of the table, depending on other match results.

Historically, this fixture has not favored Gladbach. In fact, the last time they triumphed over Leverkusen was in November 2019, marking 13 Bundesliga encounters without a victory. Since then, Leverkusen has claimed eight wins and drawn four.

Leverkusen, responding well to two consecutive defeats, recently achieved back-to-back victories in the Bundesliga, propelling them to 6th place and only four points behind VfB Stuttgart, who sit in 4th. Consistency is now paramount for Bayer 04; following a shaky start to the new year, they are now part of the chasing pack and cannot afford further slip-ups if they hope to secure a Champions League spot this season.

Earlier in the season, the teams played to a 1-1 draw in this fixture, a result that Leverkusen will aim to improve upon on Saturday. Under coach Kasper Hjulmand, the team has demonstrated solid defensive capabilities, recording three clean sheets in their last four matches across all competitions, while also netting ten goals during that span.

For this weekend’s clash, Leverkusen will seek to maintain their recent form. Gladbach, on the other hand, will be without key players Robin Hack, Tim Kleindienst, and Nathan N’Goumou. However, top scorer Haris Tabakovic will be available, aiming for his 11th Bundesliga goal of the season. Philipp Sander is also set to participate despite a recent injury scare against Werder Bremen.

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken remains sidelined, with Janis Blaswich expected to retain his spot between the posts. It remains to be seen if Hjulmand will shake things up by giving former Gladbach goalkeeper Jonas Omlin his first start for Bayer 04, which could add an intriguing dynamic to this heated fixture.

Overall, anticipation is high as both teams prepare for an exciting clash in the Rhine Derby.