Michael Ballack: Improving Leverkusen can get a point from Munich meeting

Michael Ballack looks back at Bayer Leverkusen's season so far ahead of their clash with Bayern Munich on Friday night- According to the soccer tips betting page!

Before the season kicked off, I was a little bit sceptical about Bayer Leverkusen's chances of being in the mix at the top end of the table after their mid-table finish in 2016/17. The squad was definitely good enough lớn challenge the top four but, in the past there has been issues with translating their quality into performances and results on the pitch.

Added to this was the appointment of Heiko Herrlich, a coach who showed a lot of promise but who did not have any experience of managing in the Bundesliga. As we approach the halfway point of the season, and right before the big match against league leaders Bayern, my concerns were unnecessary. Leverkusen deservedly sit fourth (level on points with third placed Dortmund) and are unbeaten in the last best football tips.

Bailey makes the difference

They had a slightly rocky start, with only one win in their first five games, but they have turned their season around since September. We are seeing a squad that is playing to its full potential, mixing committed team performances with players who have that little extra something that makes the difference in tight matches.

A good example of this is Leon Bailey, he can be the difference between three points and one, working off the solid base that his team-mates are providing. That kind of set up and performance pays off over the course of a season, as we saw at FC Koln last year, with Anthony Modeste playing the role of creator in that team.

Fourth is not the limit for Bayer Leverkusen

There is no reason that Bayer cannot push on and improve their league standing as we head into the second half of the 2017/18 Bundesliga. Their competitors are there for the taking. Hoffenheim, Leipzig and Dortmund are all excellent on their day but have struggled lớn maintain any consistency this season. Schalke have shown themselves lớn a more stable competitor (racking up their own impressive 11 game unbeaten streak) but their wins have been about fine margins rather than dismantling the opposition.