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Bayern Munich have continue to build a commanding and dominant field over the bulk of the Bundesliga, with a number of very good teams left well behind in their wake struggling with each other for position. Among those teams are Bayer Leverkusen, who sit in fifth place and are just three points out of third coming into this come tilt with the all-encompassing force that is Die Roten. That three point gap is vital for Leverkusen, as third place represents the third and last guaranteed spot in the Champions League group stage that the Bundesliga gets, with fourth place having to go through a playoff round to qualify.
While Leverkusen weren't exactly as successful in the Champions League this season as they would have hoped -- they finished third in their group behind Barcelona and Roma and thus dropped to the Europa League knockout rounds -- they know they need to keep getting back to the group stage if they want to improve as a club beyond where they stand now. That means spending as much time in the top three as possible -- realistically in third place at this point, as second place Borussia Dortmund has a sizable lead as well -- or at least keep the gap between them and third as small as possible.
Leverkusen needs every point they can get right now, and getting a shock draw or, somehow, a massive upset win over Bayern would be a huge way to get some points. Add that to the considerable confidence and momentum such a result could create right now, and this is a match that Leverkusen will have to fight for to a degree that they have never fought before. This game could, in a very real way, make Leverkusen's season. They cannot let that chance go to waste without putting up a hell of a fight.
Key player -- Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich)
Be it by need or by form, Bayern keep having to come back to Holger Badstuber in defense. Once tabbed as the next great German centerback, a series of injuries both major and minor over the last few years have set back his career development and limited Badstuber to just six league appearances this season. Now with a serious injury crisis in central defense, Bayern are relying on Badstuber to shake off the rust and anchor their back line. If it works, they'll be just fine. If not -- well, Bayern fans will just be hoping that it works.
Key matchup -- Christoph Kramer (Bayer Leverkusen) vs. Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)
Kramer just spent much of the last month as the subject of numerous transfer rumors implicating his imminent departure from Leverkusen's midfield. He is, obviously, still with Leverkusen, but you can't help but wonder how solid his focus is after all that. Now he has to face down Bayern Munich and one of the best midfielders in Europe in Vidal. If his mind isn't on the action on the pitch at all, Vidal will whip him up and down the field and Leverkusen will be left in a bad position in their efforts to earn an upset.
Bayer Leverkusen injuries and suspensions
Out: Lars Bender, Robbie Kruse, Charles Aranguiz
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, Mario Gotze, Medhi Benatia, Franck Ribery, Serdar Tasci
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. local
Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
TV: Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet One (Canada), Sky Bundesliga 1/HD (Germany), BT Sport Europe (U.K.)
Online: Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany), BT Sport Live Streaming (U.K.)