Bayern puts unbeaten mark on line against Leverkusen

Soccer Betting Lines

09/28/2007 - Leverkusen, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Re-tooled Bayern Munich has lived up to expectations so far this year, going undefeated in seven games to sit atop the standings as the class of the Bundesliga.

An offseason signing spree that included Miroslav Klose, Frank Ribery and Luca Toni put high expectations on Bayern after a disappointing 2006-07 season.

By starting the year so well, the pressure has been lifted off Bayern and it's a welcome change for the players as they prepare for a showdown against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

"Last season people were putting us down and now everything seems to be going really well," Bayern defender Philip Lahm said. "We have world-class players. It's good that we have come back down to earth, and that the euphoria of the first few weeks has died down."

Klose has silenced any critics by scoring eight goals, Ribery has been great in midfield and Toni has five goals.

The presence of those international veterans, along with a mix of young (like Lahm) and old (like Oliver Kahn) talent from last season's squad has jelled perfectly.

Bayern Munich (5-0-2) is the lone team in the league with five wins, and only Schalke is also unbeaten.

The disappointment of last year's fourth-place finish is already fading with an early lead in the standings and an incredible plus-18 goal differential.

Bayer Leverkusen, which was fifth last season, is in third-place entering the weekend's games even with a relatively young squad. Since starting the season with a draw and a loss, Bayer is unbeaten in four straight - including three straight wins.

"Leverkusen are always tough to play, and they've had some good games. They have a really strong squad and some top players," Lahm said. "We have to be well prepared."

Although many unknown young players have been key to Leverkusen early in the season, winger Bernd Schneider is a player Lahm believes is key to the club.

Schneider has been battling knee problems, but will likely play on Saturday.

"He's always dubbed the 'White Brazilian,'" Lahm said. "He has a sensational technique, a terrific shot and I don't think you can compare him to any player in the Bundesliga. For me, he's sensational."

In Friday's lone game in the Bundesliga, Schalke remained undefeated with a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin. Schalke moved past Bayer Leverkusen into second with the victory. Marcio scored the game's lone goal on a penalty kick in the 44th minute.

Also on Saturday, Karlsruher hosts Borussia Dortmund, Rostock hosts Stuttgart, Werder Bremen hosts Arminia Bielefeld, Hamburg hosts Wolfsburg and Bochum hosts Nurnberg.

On Sunday, Energie hosts Eintracht and Hannover hosts Duisburg.

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Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

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