DFB-Pokal Matchday Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich

Match Info

****Locatio**n:** BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany **Date:** Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 **Time:** 8:45pm local time (2:45pm EST) **TV/streaming: ESPN**, **Find Your Country** **Odds:** Bayern (-180), Draw (+400), Leverkusen (+400)

Team Info

Here is the predicted lineup, courtesy of BFW:

• IN: Manuel Neuer, Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Aleksandar Pavlović, Michael Olise, Harry Kane
• OUT: Jonas Urbig, Josip Stanišić, Kim Min-jae, Hiroki Itō, Leon Goretzka, Raphaël Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson **Player status updates**
• Tom Bischof, calf (out)
• Serge Gnabry, adductor (out)
• Lennart Karl, thigh (out)
• Sven Ulreich, adductor (out) **Three things to know** **about Bayern**
• Bayern has not played in the DFB-Pokal final since 2020, when Bayern ironically beat Levrkusen 4-2 on their way to the historic sextuple
• Bayern has held Leverkusen to a clean sheet or a single goal in the last seven contests
• Bayern has not lost on the road in Germany since December 2024, a streak of 27 undefeated matches **Three things to know about Leverkusen**
• **Leading Scorer:** Patrik Schick, 17 goals
• **Player to watch:** Alejandro Grimaldo, midfielder
• **Form:** LDWWL, 6th place (Bundesliga) **Prediction** Bayern wins 3-1. Leverkusen will break the ice with a first half goal from a set piece. Bayern will lock down the possession for the rest of the game. Harry Kane will score in the first half, Jamal Musiala will add the game winner, and Michael Olise will push the game out of reach with one of his patented curlers from the top of the box. Leverkusen will fight for every blade of grass but Bayern will emerge victorious. *If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…*

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