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Season preview: Bayer Leverkusen

:Headline: Season preview: Bayer Leverkusen: ID:97089: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Bayer Leverkusen's chances of muscling in on Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund's domination of the Bundesliga.

With the Bundesliga season beginning this weekend, Sports Mole casts its eye over Bayer Leverkusen's summer and their prospects for the 2013-14 campaign.

In:

Roberto Hilbert (Besiktas), Emir Spahic (Sevilla), Giulio Donati (Inter Milan), Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Heung Min Son (Hamburger SV), Andres Palop (Sevilla), Konstantinos Stafylidis (PAOK)

Out:

Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Michal Kadlec (Fenerbache), Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid CF), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Monchengladbach, loan), Michael Rensing (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Hajime Hosogai (Hertha Berlin), Daniel Schwaab (VfB Stuttgart), Nicolai Jorgensen (FC Kobenhavn,), Manuel Friedrich (released)

Last Season: 3rd

Manager: Sami Hyypia

Three key players:


Lars Bender - While the exploits of Andre Schurrle and Stefan Kiessling in attack last season were rightly lauded, Bender's no-nonsense style at the hub of the midfield did not go unnoticed. The 24-year-old has enviable fitness levels - something that he displays on a weekly basis by covering all areas of the pitch. Arsenal were believed to have bid around £18m for his services earlier this summer, but Leverkusen rejected their advances. If the Gunners return, then it's important that the German outfit hold firm.


Son Heung-Min - Gonzalo Castro aside, Leverkusen's midfielders struggled to contribute in terms of goals last term. There was no such problem for Son, who scored 12 times for Hamburg. The South Korea international has taken that form into pre-season, having scored three times for his new club. Statistics like that suggest that Hyypia has landed himself a bargain when you consider that the 21-year-old cost a reported £8m. He will bring versatility to the BayArena as he can play on either flank, as well as in a central position.


Stefan Kiessling - There were few strikers in Europe last season who were more clinical than Kiessling in front of goal. In fact, it was a bit of a surprise that none of the bigger clubs made a move for the 29-year-old - they still might, of course. The pressure will be on the frontman to at least match his 25-goal haul in the Bundesliga, particularly because Schurrle has departed for the English Premier League with Chelsea.

First game: Freiburg (H), Complete fixture list

Sports Mole says: Former Liverpool defender Hyypia has a very useful squad at his disposal, there can be no denying that. Unfortunately for the Finn, his counterparts at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have much deeper reserves. Leverkusen are the favourites to finish behind the big two and providing that they can keep Kiessling fit, it's an expectation that they should fulfill. However, should he pick up a long-term injury, it will lessen their chances of even qualifying for the Champions League, thanks largely to the fact that there is not any proven backup.

Predicted finish: 3rd

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Bayern MunichBayern119203672929
2Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt1172227161123
3RB Leipzig11632189921
4Bayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen115512618820
5Borussia DortmundDortmund116142218419
6Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach115241714317
7Freiburg115241315-217
8Mainz 05Mainz114431814416
9Stuttgart114432119216
10Union BerlinUnion Berlin1144399016
11Wolfsburg114342018215
12Werder Bremen114341722-515
13Hoffenheim113351722-512
14Augsburg113351323-1012
15Heidenheim113171520-510
16St Pauli11227714-78
17Holstein Kiel111281228-165
18VfL BochumVfL Bochum110291032-222
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