Bundesliga: High-flying Leverkusen to test Bayern in top-of-the-table clash

Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying a three-game winning run in the Bundesliga and could not have hoped for a better time to meet champions Bayern Munich in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash.

Leverkusen have been superb this season, showing consistency and playing an exciting, attacking football under their new Swiss coach Gerardo Seoane as they prepare to host Bayern, who lead the table only on goal difference.

With high efficiency and pressing game, Leverkusen have scored eight times already straight after winning possession, with 18-year-old Florian Wirtz delivering a league-best five assists and four goals of his own .

Leverkusen have netted a club record 20 times in their first seven league games for the second-best attack in the Bundesliga, with Patrik Schick being their top scorer with six.

Seoane’s Bundesliga start has so far been a success but it was a similar situation last year with Leverkusen facing Bayern midway through the season in a top-of-the-table clash but ended up finishing sixth at the end of the season.

The coach can count on midfielder Charles Aranguiz after the Chile international was sent off against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday and was suspended for Thursday’s match against Venezuela, returning to Leverkusen sooner than expected.

Bayern are aiming for a record 10th league title and 16 points while leading the league with 24 goals. They have few weaknesses but one has been dealing with counterattacks.

The Munich side paid the price for some sloppy defending with a 2-1 loss at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on the previous matchday. Julian Nagelsmann’s team will be working hard to avoid that against a team with a more lethal attack than Frankfurt’s.

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