If German soccer were not being played currently behind closed doors, the DFB-Pokal semifinal between Bayer Leverkusen and Saarbrucken would be a spectacle indeed. Saarbrucken plays in Germany’s fourth division, and they have already beaten two first-division teams to get to the semifinal, taking down 1. FC Koln in the second round and then beating Fortuna Dusseldorf, 8-7, on penalties in the quarterfinals. Their stadium only seats 6,800 people, so it is fun to imagine how the confluence of Saarbrucken fans and visitors from Leverkusen would have made things raucous. Saarbrucken is, of course, once again a heavy underdog and has the added disadvantage of not having played in three months, as their league has not yet resumed from the COVID-19 hiatus. Bayer Leverkusen has returned and has played well, currently sitting in fifth place in the Bundesliga table. Can Saarbrucken slay another giant? Or will Bayer Leverkusen turn the clock to midnight on this Cinderella story? Don’t miss our German Cup betting preview for the Leverkusen vs Saarbrucken.
Leverkusen vs Saarbrucken Odds & Picks – June 9
- When: Tuesday, June 9, 2020, 2:45 pm ET
- Where:Hermann-Neuberger Stadion, Saarbrucken
- TV: FS1 / FOX Deportes
- Radio: None
- Live Stream: fuboTV
- Bundesliga Odds: Saarbrucken +1250 / Draw (after 90 minutes) +800 / Bayer Leverkusen -833
Why should you put your money on Bayer Leverkusen?
Leverkusen has looked impressive since the Bundesliga reopened. They sit in fifth place in the table, with just goal differential keeping them out of one of the four Champions League slots. They re-opened with a 4-1 shellacking of Werder Bremen on the road, and they then won at Borussia Monchengladbach, 3-1. They looked dreadful in a 4-1 home loss to Wolfsburg, but then they went to SC Freiburg and prevailed, 1-0. They came home on Saturday to host Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga leaders, but fell, 4-2. So they are 3-0 on the road and 0-2 at home.
The last time Saarbrucken and Leverkusen met was in the 1992-93 campaign, when Saarbrucken was also in the first division. That year, Saarbrucken beat Leverkusen, 3-1, in the home fixture, and drew in the reverse fixture, 1-1. So you could say that Saarbrucken has a two-match unbeaten streak against the incoming favorites. However, a lot has changed for both sides, and while Leverkusen doesn’t provide you with much betting value, this is a match that they should easily win.
Why should you bet on Saarbrucken?
Saarbrucken is the class of the Regionalliga — the fourth division of German soccer that was canceled when pro sports were shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic. They were declared league champions and will be promoted to the third division for next season. They have not been intimidated by any competition and held their own in close battles. Two of their wins have come in 3-2 fashion, with the tiebreaking goals coming in injury time. They have also won a pair of shootouts, including that win over Fortuna Dusseldorf, in which goalkeeper Daniel Batz set a tournament record with four saves in the shootout.
If Saarbrucken can prevail, they would get a shot at a European tournament. This is the team that, after all, won the very first European Cup back in 1955-56. However, they have lost three straight semifinal appearances in the DFB-Pokal. If you like Saarbrucken here, you do get a ton of value, and there is the possibility that yet another team takes this side for granted. However, Leverkusen is a superior side to both Koln and Fortuna, so while you’re getting a lot of value, the risk is even more considerable. Leverkusen might be without their manager and will be without offensively minded midfielder Kai Havertz. Can Saarbrucken take advantage?
Leverkusen vs Saarbrucken Final Score Prediction
Why am I high on Saarbrucken here? Because they offer a ton of value, and they have to come in with all kinds of confidence. Leverkusen has played well since league play resumed, but there is that discomfiting loss to Wolfsburg, and they may have their heads down a bit after losing to the league leaders. I’m predicting that the game finishes 1-1 after 90 minutes, so the draw is the pick — but then I see Leverkusen ending Saarbrucken’s magical run in penalty kicks.
