How Bayern Munich could line up against Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich continue the defence of their Bundesliga title with a clash with Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The German champions have made a perfect start to life under Hansi Flick, scoring 16 unanswered goals in four games since the sacking of Niko Kovac.

Anything other than three points against Peter Bosz's side would serve as a huge blow to Bayern, who remain one point behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Bayern could line up for this fixture.

Out: Niklas Sule (knee), Jann-Fiete Arp (wrist), Lucas Hernandez (ankle) Doubtful: Mickael Cuisance (illness), David Alaba (personal reasons)

Alaba missed the midweek trip to Red Star Belgrade to be with his wife, who is expecting to give birth imminently, and it remains to be seen as to whether he will return over the weekend.

In his place will most likely be Joshua Kimmich, who has been used primarily as a holding midfielder this term but looks set to join the experienced Javi Martinez in defence.

Over on the left, Flick is very likely to pick talented Canadian youngster Alphonso Davies, who has started in every game since the assistant coach took over.

The presence of Kimmich in midfield has allowed for Thiago Alcantara to operate in a more advanced position, serving as a bridge between midfield and attack, but the Spaniard looks likely to drop into a holding role this weekend.

This change gives another chance to Leon Goretzka, a player who you suspect is on the verge of evolving into a masterful passer of the ball. That he has only made five Bundesliga appearances so far this term is a testament to Bayern's sheer depth of quality in that area.

Accompanying Goretzka will be Corentin Tolisso, another midfielder deprived of opportunities under Kovac, who preferred to use Thomas Muller in an attacking midfield role. At the age of 25, the Frenchman is entering his best years and will want to nail down a regular place.

The front three will almost certainly include Serge Gnabry - one of Bayern's best players this term - given that the German was not involved in any capacity against Red Star Belgrade.

If there was one player who could guarantee to start, it is, of course, Robert Lewandowski, whose remarkable quadruple in Serbia took his tally in all competitions this season to 27 goals, 10 of which have come in the Champions League. With 218 goals in 262 Bayern games, Lewandowski brings an element of inevitability to his performances that hardly any other striker can replicate.