Bayer Leverkusen vs Eintracht Frankfurt Prediction 12.09.2025 | Bundesliga

After shining as Bundesliga champions in 2023-24 and finishing as runners-up last season, Leverkusen entered the summer facing seismic changes, with Xabi Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid and the exit of several key players marking the end of a golden era.

Appointed as Xabi Alonso’s successor, former Ajax and Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag endured a surprisingly short stint at the BayArena, as the club’s hierarchy dismissed him following a sluggish start in which Die Werkself fell 2-1 to Hoffenheim on the opening day and squandered a two-goal lead in a frustrating 3-3 draw away at Werder Bremen.

Following the September international break, Bayer Leverkusen turned to Danish tactician Kasper Hjulmand as their new man in charge, with the former Denmark coach eager to make an immediate impact and avoid the same fate as Erik ten Hag, though a clash with Frankfurt represents a stern first examination of his credentials.

Centre-back Jeanuel Belocian and winger Martin Terrier are both sidelined with identical ligament issues, leaving them out of action for a while longer, but those are the only absences for Bayer Leverkusen.

In stark contrast, Eintracht Frankfurt enjoyed a stellar Bundesliga season, clinching third place to guarantee automatic qualification for UEFA’s top-tier tournament, marking just the second time in their history that they will compete in the Champions League.

Despite losing star striker Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool for a staggering €95m over the summer, Die Adler's early-season performances suggest the Frenchman’s departure hasn’t dented their attacking firepower, as they’ve already racked up an impressive 12 goals in their first three competitive outings.

Out of twelve goals scored so far, seven were netted in the first two Bundesliga matches, starting with an emphatic 4-1 demolition of Werder Bremen and followed by a confident 3-1 win at challenging Hoffenheim, putting them in the company of Bayern Munich and FC Koln as the only sides to maintain a flawless record.

Kaua Santos remains in the recovery room with a knee injury, meaning summer signing Michael Zetterer will make his third consecutive Bundesliga appearance, while experienced Mario Gotze and young forward Jonathan Burkardt are also out of Friday’s contest.