Bayer Leverkusen’s resurgence continues as they find their form, staying close on the heels of Bayern Munich at the top of the table.

Bayer Leverkusen, quietly trailing leaders Bayern Munich and the surprise contender Eintracht Frankfurt, have rediscovered the form that helped them secure a league-cup double last season. Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen, who will visit mid-table Augsburg on Saturday, are currently seven points behind Bayern but remain the only team that truly instills fear in the German giants. Last season, Leverkusen dominated, securing their first-ever Bundesliga title without losing a match—a feat no other team, not even Bayern, had accomplished.

Bayer Leverkusen’s hopes of a back-to-back title seemed to have faded following disappointing draws against Holstein Kiel, Werder Bremen, and struggling Bochum, coupled with their first league defeat in 15 months to RB Leipzig.

However, a resurgence of six consecutive wins in all competitions, including a dramatic German Cup victory over Bayern Munich and a win against Inter Milan, has put Xabi Alonso’s side back on track.

Leverkusen will travel to 13th-placed Augsburg on Saturday, before hosting Freiburg in the final match of 2024.

“Everyone needs to step on the gas until Christmas—we need the three points,” said Granit Xhaka after their victory over Inter on Tuesday. “If we play like that, it’ll be difficult for the rest.”

With Bayern facing a string of injuries—Harry Kane, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, and Joao Palhinha are all expected to miss the rest of 2024—Leverkusen has the opportunity to close the gap before the winter break. Bayern will play Mainz on Saturday, where they have lost three of their last four league encounters.

Bayern’s final game of the year is at home against Leipzig, who have won two of their last three matches in Munich. Following a disappointing midweek Champions League exit, Leipzig can now focus on domestic competition, starting with a home match against second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. Leipzig will be boosted by their 3-0 win over Frankfurt in the German Cup earlier this month.

Meanwhile, injury-ridden Borussia Dortmund, currently in sixth, will look to close the gap to the top four when they host bottom-placed Hoffenheim on Sunday. Fifth-placed Wolfsburg will play seventh-placed Freiburg.

Player to Watch: Tom Rothe (Union Berlin)

Tom Rothe, who joined Union Berlin from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, had a big task ahead of him, stepping into the shoes of Robin Gosens, who made an abrupt return to Italy on deadline day.

Rothe, originally expected to develop as a backup, quickly became a key player for Union Berlin. The 20-year-old impressed from the start, even scoring important goals in victories over Hoffenheim and his former club Holstein Kiel.

Speaking to the Bundesliga website, Rothe said he had a “gut feeling” that the move to Union “felt right.”

Now firmly established in Union’s starting lineup, he will look to continue his strong performances as Union, currently mid-table after battling relegation while also competing in the Champions League last season, host bottom-dwelling Bochum on Saturday.