FC Saarbrucken Vs Bayer Leverkusen
Tuesday 9 June 2020 – 19:45 Kick-Off
German DFB Pokal
Pick: Both Teams To Score
Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 7 June 2020)
Preview: The first semi-final in this season’s German DFB Pokal has a serious mismatch feel to it, as FC Saarbrucken look to cause a huge upset when they welcome Bayer Leverkusen to their Hermann-Neuberger-Stadion.
Table of Contents
FC Saarbrucken – History makers not finished yet?
Route to semi-final: 3-2 Jahn Regensburg, 3-2 FC Koln, Karlsruher 0-0 (5-3 pens), Fortuna Dusseldorf 1-1 (7-6 pens)
The club made history when its team held their nerve in a penalty shootout during a last-eight tussle with Fortuna Dusseldorf, becoming the first side from the fourth tier to reach the semi-final of Germany’s DFB Pokal. Not done yet, though, Saarbrucken could find themselves remarkably competing in the grand show-piece itself, which could see them pitted against an indomitable Bayern Munich.
Incentive aplenty then. Tuesday’s opponents are formidable but not unbeatable, losing two of their past three encounters, and so this could be a better time than any to be facing Die Werkself. Regardless, this team will be bullish about their chances of success having already claimed some notable scalps along the way, beating a couple of teams from each of Germany’s top two divisions – only two were inside 90 minutes, however all four were on home territory.
However, the decision of the German FA to prematurely curtail leagues below the third tier has likely come at the cost of rhythm and match sharpness for Saarbrucken, whose last sighting in a competitive setting was March. That makes it difficult to gauge what sort of conditioning or mindset the players approach this contest in.
Bayer Leverkusen – Bosz’s men expected to cruise into final?
Route to semi-final: 1-4 Alemannia Aachen, 1-0 Paderborn, 2-1 Stuttgart, 3-1 Union Berlin
A turbulent campaign for all could end in tangible success for Bayer Leverkusen should they complement a top-four finish in the league by collecting a winners medal in the DFB Pokal Final. Neither are guaranteed at this stage, and it is for this season Peter Bosz may well decide to utilise his squad as continues to try and navigate a demanding workload without compromising on results.
The latter, sadly for them, has not panned out as hoped with Saturday’s 4-2 home defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich their second such result in three games, having also lost heavily at home to Wolfsburg either side of a gritty victory in Freiburg. It places even greater emphasis on a recovery when they return to Bundesliga action this coming weekend, meaning there could be a few personnel changes abound.
Kai Havertz has already picked up a knock significant enough to keep him out of action last time out. At such a crucial point in the season, any further ailments could be to the detriment of their final league placing. Yet don’t expect Leverkusen to take it too easy on Tuesday; an opportunity to add to their sole DFB Pokal triumph of 1993, having not featured in any final since 2009, is surely too attractive to pass up.
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Saarbrucken Vs Bayer Leverkusen Betting Advice
Reaching the semi-final is a remarkable achievement in itself for FC Saarbrucken, the club from the fourth tier who have needed to overcome superior opposition in every round thus far – including twice ousting sides from the Bundesliga. Next up is Bayer Leverkusen, one of the strongest teams competing in this season’s German top-flight and incredibly strong favourites to progress onto the final.
Saarbrucken Vs Bayer Leverkusen – Key Facts
- Potentially shorn of star player Kai Havertz, Bayer Leverkusen are bidding to reach a first DFB Pokal final since 2009.
- Both teams scored in Saarbrucken‘s earlier meetings with FC Koln (3-2) and Dusseldorf (1-1), while four of the five Bundesliga matches Leverkusen were involved in since the restart featured both teams scoring.
- A first meeting between the two clubs since the 1992-93 Bundesliga season, when Saarbrucken were 3-1 victors at home.
There is a possibility that Peter Bosz rotates some of his personnel, especially after witnessing star player Kai Havertz pick up a knock recently. Furthermore, Champions League qualification is arguably more important to Leverkusen than this competition. So there is genuine reason as to why Saarbrucken, scorers of seven goals across the previous four rounds, can contribute to proceedings.
Best Betting Odds – Saarbrucken Vs Bayer Leverkusen
Saarbrucken – 22/1 (Ladbrokes)
Draw – 17/2 (Betfair)
Bayer Leverkusen – 2/15 (Unibet)
