A thrilling year of Bundesliga action will come to its conclusion this weekend, but the destination of the league title has already been determined, with Bayer Leverkusen ending Bayern Munich’s ten-year stranglehold on the top prize in Germany.
A memorable season for Xabi Alonso’s side could yet get even better, as they will have two further opportunities for silverware in the forms of the Europa League and DFB Pokal.
Leverkusen Crowned Champions
Leverkusen were a huge price to win the league at the start of the season at BetXchange, but they have surpassed all expectations under the leadership of Xabi Alonso. The German champions sit 15 points clear of Bayern Munich ahead of the final round of matches, and they are yet to suffer defeat in 33 league outings.
As well as that, the German side have avoided defeat in all 50 competitive matches that they have played this term, breaking the European record in the process. That record could yet be exceeded over the final weeks of the season with victories in their three remaining competitive matches.
A hallmark of this Alonso side throughout the season has been their ability to score late goals. That was evident between March and May 12, as Leverkusen netted a staggering 18 goals in the 82nd minute or later. An impressive ten of those goals were either equalising efforts or match-winning goals.
If Leverkusen are able to add Europa League and DFB Pokal successes in May, and retain their unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga, it will likely go down as one of the finest achievements in modern footballing history.
What’s Left To Be Decided?
There’s little to be determined at the top of the standings in the Bundesliga ahead of the final weekend, with Bayern, Stuttgart, Leipzig, and Dortmund joining Leverkusen in the Champions League next term. However, Stuttgart could yet end the campaign in second spot in the standings if they land a victory on the final day, and Bayern fall to defeat.
Relegation Battle
Most of the competitive action in the final round will come at the foot of the standings. Darmstadt have already been relegated from the top flight, but Cologne could yet avoid the drop if they claim victory and are able to overturn a three-goal advantage over Union Berlin.
Union currently sit in the relegation playoff spot, despite having finished in the Champions League spots last term. The side from Berlin could face a shootout for their top-flight future if they fail to land a victory on the final day of the season. However, they will only avoid finishing 16th if they land a success and Mainz drop to a defeat. A victory could also be enough should Bochum not pick up any points in their final match of the season.
Europa League Battle
Eintracht Frankfurt are set to finish in the Europa League spot this term, as they need just a point to finish sixth. However, an interesting battle for the Europa Conference League spot could be set for the final day.
Hoffenheim currently sit seventh on 43 points, but Freiburg are just a point behind their rivals. A victory for Hoffenheim secures a European finish, but anything other than maximum points would allow Freiburg the opportunity to pounce.
