The 2024/25 Bundesliga season kicks off as Bayer Leverkusen begin their title defense against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday.
Leverkusen shocked the football world last season by not only securing their first Bundesliga championship but also completing an unbeaten run in both the league and domestic cup. They aim to maintain this incredible form as they open their title defense on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Gladbach had a flawless pre-season, winning all seven of their friendly matches, and began the new campaign with a cup victory over Aue. However, they faced mostly low-caliber opponents, and their previous domestic season ended poorly with no wins in their last six matches.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen kick-off time
| Date: | Friday, August 23, 2024 |
| Kick-off time: | 7:30 pm BST |
| Venue: | Borussia-Park |
The match will be played at the Borussia-Park on Friday, August 23, with kick-off at 7:30 pm BST for fans in the UK.
How to watch Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen online - TV channels & live streams
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. Live updates can be found here on GOAL.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.
Team news & squads
Borussia Monchengladbach team news
The home side will have the option to include their first-choice centre-back Nico Elvedi and winger Robin Hack, who was the club's leading goal-scorer last season.
However, the hosts will be missing midfielder Borges Sanches and goalkeeper Jan Olschowsky, both sidelined with knee injuries.
Borussia Monchengladbach possible XI: Omlin; Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Netz; Reitz, Weigl; Honorat, Stoger, Hack; Kleindienst.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Omlin, Nicolas, Olschowsky, Sippel |
| Defenders: | Itakura, Elvedi, Scally, Netz, Chiarodia, Lainer, Friedrich, Ullrich |
| Midfielders: | Koné, Weigl, Neuhaus, Stöger, Honorat, Reitz, N'Goumou, Borges Sanches, Hack, Fraulo, Sander |
| Forwards: | Pléa, Ranos, Kleindienst, Čvančara, Fukuda, Herrmann |
Bayer Leverkusen team news
Martin Terrier is eligible for selection in the league despite his red card and will not face a suspension.
In other news, Exequiel Palacios is unavailable, which likely means Granit Xhaka will be paired with Aleix Garcia in the midfield.
Bayer Leverkusen may also bring back regular starters like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Alejandro Grimaldo, all of whom came off the bench in the match against Stuttgart.
Bayer Leverkusen possible XI: Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | Hrádecký, Kovar, Lomb |
| Defenders: | Tapsoba, Kossounou, Hincapié, Tah, Arthur, Belocian, Natali, Fofana, Hawighorst |
| Midfielders: | Xhaka, Frimpong, Palacios, Grimaldo, García, Andrich, Tella, Puerta, Aourir, Onyeka, Marsenic |
| Forwards: | Wirtz, Boniface, Adli, Schick, Hložek, Hofmann, Terrier |
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 27/01/24 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen 0-0 Borussia Monchengladbach | Bundesliga |
| 26/08/23 | Borussia Monchengladbach 3-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga |
| 21/05/23 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-2 Borussia Monchengladbach | Bundesliga |
| 22/01/23 | Borussia Monchengladbach 2-3 Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga |
| 15/01/22 | Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga |