Hoffenheim is gearing up to face Bayer Leverkusen in a highly anticipated Bundesliga showdown, with the aim of becoming the first team to defeat Leverkusen this season.
Match Preview
Last season, Hoffenheim fought against relegation, but this time, they have exceeded expectations by winning six of their first nine games.
Their recent 3-2 victory against Stuttgart showcased their potential, with early goals from Grischa Promel and Wout Weghorst setting the tone.
While Stuttgart mounted a comeback, Hoffenheim held on for a crucial win.
In the DFB-Pokal clash on Wednesday, Borussia Dortmund triumphed over Hoffenheim for the sixth consecutive time, but Pellegrino Matarazzo’s focus remains on their league form.
With three defeats in four home games, Hoffenheim will need an improved performance when hosting Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen, under manager Xabi Alonso, has been a dominant force this season, winning 13 out of 14 games in all competitions.
Only Bayern Munich has prevented Leverkusen from maintaining a perfect record in all fronts.
Their recent victory over Freiburg showcased their professionalism, with goals from Florian Wirtz and Jonas Hofmann securing the win.
Leverkusen’s fans are dreaming of a treble, with the team maintaining a 100% record in the Europa League group stage.
Despite some near misses in the past, they possess the confidence and quality to go deep into both cup competitions.
Leverkusen will face a challenging test against Hoffenheim this weekend. Should they continue their winning streak, they may extend their lead at the top of the table.
Team News
Hoffenheim will be without Dennis Geiger and Marco John due to long-term injuries.
Pavel Kaderabek and Florian Grillitsch are doubtful due to shin and hip issues, with Ihlas Bebou and Anton Stach expected to replace them.
On the positive side, Robert Skov and Andrej Kramaric have recovered from their recent injuries.
Leverkusen appears to have a fully-fit squad, with Arthur being the only absentee due to a knee issue.
Manager Xabi Alonso is likely to make changes to the lineup for the league match.
Predicted Lineups
Hoffenheim:
- Baumann;
- Kabak, Brooks, Vogt;
- Bebou, Promel, Stach, Skov;
- Kramaric;
- Weghorst, Beier
Bayer Leverkusen:
- Hradecky;
- Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba;
- Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo;
- Hofmann, Wirtz;
- Boniface
Prediction
We predict a thrilling encounter with Bayer Leverkusen securing a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim.
Both teams have shown their capabilities this season, but Leverkusen’s consistency and dominance give them the upper hand.
