The Championship has begin:Champions Bayer Leverkusen visit Borussia Monchengladbach

Leverkusen have managed to retain the core of their impressive squad, most of whom featured in the DFL-Supercup success against Stuttgart. The game ended 1-1 but Xabi Alonso’s side were triumphant in the penalty shootout.

Argentina international Exequiel Palacios is continuing his recovery from a knee operation but the visitors otherwise have a fit squad to take into this Rhine derby.

Florian Wirtz, Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong all came off the bench in the Supercup but should make the starting XI, while striker Victor Boniface is available despite being handed a one-match ban and a €25,000 fine for an offensive gesture at the weekend.

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Borussia Monchengladbach

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Borussia Monchengladbach (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen score prediction

Leverkusen won the hearts and minds of most neutrals last season by ending Bayern Munich’s perennial dominance of the Bundesliga but Alonso won’t want them to keel over for Vincent Kompany’s outfit during their defence this time around.

Instead, the reigning champions will be hungry for a fast start to their title defence on Friday night. A heavy pre-season defeat to Arsenal showed they aren’t in their unstoppable rhythm just yet, but they should have more than enough to pick up three points at Gladbach to start the campaign.

Prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen