Kaiserslautern vs Bayer Leverkusen tips and predictions: Xabi Alonso’s side to cruise to DFB-Pokal final win
- Sergiu Baltuta
- 23 May 2024
Bundesliga 2 side Kaiserslautern will take on Bundesliga winners and domestic invincibles Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal final on Saturday (1900 BST).
Kaiserslautern will face Bayern Leverkusen at the Olimpic Stadium in Berlin on Saturday night on a rare occasion, as the second division team plays the DFB Pokal final.
What makes this final more special is they will face Leverkusen, the team that went 51 matches unbeaten and could claim a domestic double with a win.
On the other hand, the second-division side finished a modest 13th place, just seven points above the relegation/promotion playoff, and eight clear of automatic relegation.
Marlon Ritter (5), Richmond Tachie (4), Terrence Boyd (2) and Kenny Redondo (2) have weighed in with valuable goal contributions en route to the final.
Friedhelm Funke’s team faced a favourable draw, seeing off RW Koblenz, FC Koln, Nurnberg, Hertha Berlin and Bayern Munich’s conquerors, Saarbrucken.
Despite their cup heroics, their league form has been poor. Although they finished with three wins from four to secure safety, they won three of their previous 21 matches.
Leverkusen’s record of 51 consecutive matches without defeat fell on Wednesday as they lost 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League final, but they remain unbeaten in Germany.
Their habit of scoring late goals, with 15 in added time and 33 beyond the 80th minute, helped them rise from the dead on numerous occasions.
But despite some late shows, Xabi Alonso’s side has had their fair share of romps. Leverkusen have won 16 matches by three or more goals across all competitions.
Bundesliga player of the year Florian Wirtz is stealing the headlines in Germany and his cup contribution of three goals and four assists has been bettered by Amine Adli, who has eight involvements.
The underdogs will help to capitalise on tired legs and disappointed minds, but there is such a gulf in quality between the sides, and Alonso has depth to work with.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Leverkusen score early and often in the DFP-Pokal final.
