The Bundesliga returns this Friday, August 23, with an exciting clash between the reigning champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia Park. 

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, fresh off their German Super Cup victory, will be eager to start their title defence strongly, while Monchengladbach will look to upset the champions on home soil.

The hosts finished 14th last season and will aim to begin the new campaign on a positive note against one of the toughest teams in the league.

Monchengladbach’s Pay-Back Plot Against the Champions | Home Win = 5.22

Borussia Monchengladbach had a challenging 2023-24 season, finishing just above the relegation zone with 34 points. Despite their struggles, they managed to survive due to their ability to secure draws, collecting 13 throughout the season.

However, their poor second half of the campaign, where they collected only 14 points from 17 games, was a concern but Preseason provided some hope, with seven consecutive wins.

With that said, Gerardo Seoane will know that facing the reigning champions will be a significantly different test and that if they are to get revenge for their 3-0 loss to Leverkusen at home last season, they will need to improve their home form, as they failed to win any of their last six Bundesliga matches at Borussia Park.

Alonso’s Leverkusen Aim for a Strong Start | Away Win = 1.61

Bayer Leverkusen enters the 2024-25 season with high expectations after their historic unbeaten league campaign last term, which saw Xabi Alonso’s men secure both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.

They’ve similarly begun this new season by collecting the German Super Cup against Stuttgart. Now, they turn their attention to starting the long Bundesliga league season right against a stubborn side in M’gladbach.

Despite a poor preseason with just one win, the champions’ recent success in the Super Cup, where they showed resilience by coming back late against Stuttgart with 10 men, sets a positive tone for their league opener against a side that would love to get some payback.

Key Players & Team News:

Monchengladbach will be missing midfielder Borges Sanches and goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky due to knee injuries. However, they have key players like Nico Elvedi and top scorer Robin Hack available to bolster their line-up.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, will have Martin Terrier available after his suspension in the Super Cup did not carry over to the league. Exequiel Palacios is out, but Granit Xhaka is expected to partner Aleix Garcia in midfield. Regulars like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong could return to the starting line-up.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 4.61

• Leverkusen, the first team in Bundesliga history to go unbeaten throughout a league campaign, haven't lost to Borussia Mönchengladbach in their last 9 meetings (7W, 2D). | Specials Market: Away & Over 2.5 = 2.03

• Monchengladbach at the moment has shown better form than their opponents with seven (7) consecutive victories from their last seven (7) games, all preseason matches. | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & GG/NG (Yes) = 1.80

• The last five (5) M’gladbach vs Leverkusen fixtures in the German Bundesliga have seen four (4) over 2.5 goals (0-3), with three (3) seeing both teams score (2-2, 2-3, 1-2). | Main Market: Over 3.5 = 2.24

You can follow and bet on the Bundesliga game, Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen, on MSport here.

Chelsea will host Swiss side Servette in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifiers Playoffs on Thursday, August 22, at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are looking to secure their place in European football for the 2024-25 season after missing out last year, while Servette aims to make a mark against their prestigious opponents.

Chelsea Seek to Repair European Reputation | Home Win = 1.18

Chelsea, under new manager Enzo Maresca, have a point to prove after a disappointing 2023-24 season that saw them finish sixth in the Premier League. Although the Blues have started the current Premier League season with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, they will be eager to bounce back and make a strong statement in this playoff tie.

The team has undergone significant changes, with several new signings like Filip Jorgensen, Renato Veiga, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall expected to feature. However, Chelsea will be without key players like Reece James and Raheem Sterling, adding some uncertainty to their lineup.

Despite these challenges, Chelsea’s depth and quality should be sufficient to secure a comfortable victory at home, especially considering their European pedigree and the expectations surrounding them this season.

Servette Face Tough Challenge at Stamford Bridge | Away Win = 15.20

Servette, who finished third in the Swiss Super League last season, enter this tie as clear underdogs. The Swiss side is coming off a massive 7-1 win in the Schweizer Pokal against fifth-tier Signal, which should boost their confidence.

However, their recent form against stronger opposition is concerning, with heavy defeats to Lugano and Basel in the league, as well as a narrow exit from the Europa League against Braga.

Managed by Thomas Haberli, Servette will need to be at their best to stand any chance against a Chelsea side eager to assert dominance. Key players like Steve Rouiller, David Douline, and Enzo Crivelli are expected to start, as Servette hopes to produce a resilient performance in London.

Key Players & Team News:

Chelsea will miss the services of captain Reece James and might also be without Marc Cucurella due to injury. However, new signings are likely to be integrated into the squad, with Maresca keen to build a cohesive unit quickly.

On the other hand, Servette’s lineup will likely see the return of first-team regulars, who were rested in their recent cup match.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 8.43

• Servette has just one win from their last five games in all competitions, losing three (3) games (3-1, 0-6, 1-2) and drawing one (0-0). | Main Market: Handicap (Home 0-2) = 2.16
• Chelsea have not won once in their last four matches in all competitions, which includes three (3) friendlies. The Blues have lost three (3) of those four (4) games (2-4, 1-2, 0-2), and drew one (1-1). | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & GG (Yes) = 2.11
• There are over 2.5 goals in three (3) of Chelsea’s last five (5) games in all competitions, while there are over 3.5 goals in three (3) of Servette’s last five (5) games in all competitions. | Specials Market: Home & Over 3.5 = 1.96

You can follow and bet on the UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifiers Playoffs game, Chelsea vs. Servette, on MSport here.

Struggling Swiss champions, Young Boys, will have to battle Turkish champions, Galatasaray for a place in the newly structured UEFA Champions League group stages. 

The game happening at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern on Wednesday, August 20, is the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff between the two competition regulars.

Young Boys Aim to Defy Their Early-Season Struggles | Home Win = 4.09

Young Boys, the reigning Swiss Super League champions, have had a shaky start to their domestic campaign. Winless in their first five league games, they currently sit second from the bottom. With three consecutive losses followed by two draws, the team has struggled defensively, conceding 13 goals in five matches.

Despite their poor form, Young Boys have a strong European pedigree, having reached the Champions League group stage in two of the last three seasons. Under pressure, new manager Patrick Rahmen will hope that a resounding 10-0 win in their last cup game can inspire confidence ahead of this pivotal matchup.

Galatasaray Seeks to Capitalize on Swiss Weakness | Away Win = 1.93

Galatasaray, the Turkish Super Lig champions, enter this tie with momentum on their side. After narrowly winning the league with a record 102 points, they aim to return to the Champions League group stage following a disappointing campaign last year.

Although they were thrashed 5-0 by Besiktas in the Turkish Super Cup, Gala have bounced back with two wins in their opening league games. With star striker Mauro Icardi leading the line and already off the mark this season, Galatasaray will look to exploit Young Boys' defensive vulnerabilities.

Key Players & Team News:

Young Boys will be without Facinet Conte and Saidy Janko due to injuries, while Kastriot Imeri is sidelined until September. Manager Patrick Rahmen might rely on in-form striker Silvere Ganvoula to lead the attack, although Cedric Itten, who scored a hat-trick in their last game, also presents a strong option.

Galatasaray have their own selection challenges, with Davinson Sanchez injured and Kaan Ayhan suspended. Summer signing Gabriel Sara is also unavailable due to personal reasons. As a result, Victor Nelsson and Abdulkerim Bardakci are expected to form the central defensive partnership, while Lucas Torreira will anchor the midfield.

Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 3.88

Young Boys are unbeaten in their last three (3) games in all competitions, drawing two (2-2, 2-2) and winning one, a Schweizer Cup game against FC Printse-Nendaz they won 10-0. | Specials Market: Over 2.5 & GG (Yes) = 1.99

Galatasaray have won three (3) of their last five (5) games in all competitions with two (2) of those wins coming in their last two games in the Turkish League (2-1, 1-2). | Specials Market: Draw/Away & Over 2.5 = 2.19

In the previous two (2) meetings between Young Boys and Galatasaray, Goal-Goal (GG) has occurred (3-1, 1-1). | Main Market: Over 3.5 = 2.79

This match is set to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams eager to progress to the lucrative group stage of the Champions League.

You can follow and bet on the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers Playoffs game, Young Boys vs. Galatasaray, on MSport here.