Bayern Munich is set to welcome domestic foe Bayer Leverkusen for a high-stakes Champions League showdown on Wednesday.
The man in Leverkusen’s dugout knows Bayern all too well. After winning three Bundesliga titles with Die Roten late in his playing days, he wasted no time flipping the script as a manager. In record time, he led Leverkusen to its first-ever league and cup double while nearly adding a Europa League trophy to the mix.
His dominance over Bayern has been undeniable. The Spaniard is unbeaten in six matchups, including this season’s encounters—two Bundesliga draws and a DFB-Pokal triumph keeping his streak intact.
Still, Bayern has reclaimed its familiar spot at the Bundesliga summit, now holding an eight-point cushion over their rivals. Vincent Kompany’s arrival may have raised some eyebrows, but if he wrestles back the title from Die Werkself, it’ll go a long way in silencing any skeptics.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Champions League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: Paramount+
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the English language. Streaming options are available on Paramount+, which is offering a FREE trial for new subscribers.
What time does Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen kick off?
This Champions League clash takes place at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany and kicks off on Wednesday, March 5 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Wed, Mar. 5 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Wed, Mar. 5 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Wed, Mar. 5 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Wed, Mar. 5 | 12:00 p.m. |
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineups, team news
Bayern is optimistic that Joshua Kimmich will not only recover in time for this showdown—having resumed light training over the weekend—but also put pen to paper on a long-term contract, with speculation in Germany suggesting a deal could be in the works.
Sunday’s training session saw Eric Dier and Aleksandar Pavlovic sit out due to minor illnesses, while Jamal Musiala, Joao Palhinha, and Alphonso Davies—who played the hero against Celtic—were also absent with slight knocks. However, all five are expected to be available when the whistle blows.
Meanwhile, Harry Kane remains in red-hot form, and no player has had a hand in more Champions League goals since the start of last season—his tally stands at 20, with 15 goals and five assists to his name.
Bayern Munich predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Neuer (GK) — Laimer, Kim, Upamecano, Davies — Palhinha, Goretzka — Olise, Musiala, Coman — Kane.
Injured: None.
Suspended: None.
Florian Wirtz is making sure Harry Kane doesn’t have the spotlight all to himself this season. In his first-ever Champions League campaign, the young German has racked up six goals and an assist in the league phase, putting him just two shy of Michael Ballack’s club record of nine goal involvements in a single European season—set during Leverkusen’s run to the 2001-02 final.
Piero Hincapie returns to the fold after serving a suspension over the weekend, but Leverkusen will still be without long-term absentee Jeanuel Belocian in defense. Meanwhile, Martin Terrier remains the only other injury concern for the visitors.
Despite this high-stakes clash looming, Xabi Alonso didn’t take his foot off the gas at the weekend, rolling out a full-strength lineup as he looks to keep his side firing on all cylinders.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted XI (3-4-3, right to left): Hradecky (GK) — Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie — Frimpong, Aleix Garcia, Xhaka, Grimaldo — Tella, Schick, Wirtz.
Injured: Martin Terrier, Jeanuel Belocian
Suspended: None.
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen prediction
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen still have a point to prove when it comes to delivering on the big stage. Last season’s Europa League final ended in heartbreak, and this campaign has already seen them falter on tough trips to Liverpool and Atletico Madrid. Now, facing Bayern at home in the Champions League—a team that often looks untouchable on this stage—will be another massive test.
Meanwhile, Vincent Kompany’s Bayern have struggled with consistency in Europe, but history favors them in this matchup. They haven’t lost to Leverkusen in their last six meetings and, despite some bumps along the way, they’ll be expected to take some sort of advantage into the second leg next week.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Champions League fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Tuesday, March 4
- Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa (12:45 p.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid (3 p.m.)
- PSV vs. Arsenal (3 p.m.)
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille (3 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 5
- Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan (12:45 p.m.)
- Benfica vs. Barcelona (3 p.m.)
- PSG vs. Liverpool (3 p.m.)
- Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen (3 p.m.)
