Hoffenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 German Bundesliga
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Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first league defeat in 16 months just under a fortnight ago and a strong reaction from the Bundesliga champions is likely on the cards against Hoffenheim.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday September 14th 2024 – UK – 2:30pm / US ET – 9:30am / US PT – 6:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Some matches will be televised on ESPN channels so it is worth checking their schedules
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
HOFFENHEIM PREVIEW: FAILURE TO PREVENT GOALS CAUSING AN ISSUE
Hoffenheim are clearly well-placed to score plenty of goals across the season, but worryingly keeping them out at the other end is proving extremely tricky. Their opening two league games have seen them already concede five goals, most recently losing 3-1 away to Eintracht Frankfurt, a first loss of the campaign for Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side.
The loss effectively cancels out their 3-2 triumph over Holstein Kiel the week before and they welcome the champions, who are notorious for their ability to find the net with regularity, not a good sign for Hoffenheim.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN PREVIEW: 35 AND OUT FOR THE CHAMPIONS
Bayer Leverkusen’s 35-game unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga finally came to an end just under two weeks ago, but the manner of defeat was shocking. After taking a two-goal lead against RB Leipzig, everyone assumed a comfortable win would follow. But Marco Rose’s side stunned the hosts, scoring three goals without response and this time, there was to be no late rescue-act.
Head coach Xabi Alonso has had ample time to reflect on proceedings and no doubt his players will be ready to take out their frustrations on Hoffenheim. This serves as a hugely important fixture ahead of their first Champions League game away at Feyenoord in the coming week.
HOFFENHEIM TEAM NEWS: INJURY LIST OF HOSTS STILL HEAVY
Hoffenheim remain without several players ahead of Leverkusen’s visit to Sinsheim, with Bebou, Becker, Jurasek, Kabak and Promel all missing. Ozan Kabak especially, is a big loss for the hosts in the centre of defence.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Baumann; Drexler, Stach, Akpoguma; Kaderabek, Geiger, Grillitsch, Prass; Hlozek, Kramaric, Berisha
UNAVAILABLE: Bebou (Injured), Becker (Injured), Jurasek (Injured), Kabak (Injured), Promel (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Tohumcu (Injured)
BAYER LEVERKUSEN TEAM NEWS: PALACIOS COULD COME BACK INTO CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Aleix Garcia has been impressive so far for Leverkusen, but could find himself replaced in central midfield by Ezequiel Palacios as Xabi Alonso perhaps looks to unite a partnership of Palacios and Granit Xhaka, which has proved hugely successful previously.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Terrier, Boniface, Wirtz
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
HOFFENHEIM VS BAYER LEVERKUSEN PREDICTION
For the first time in over a year in the Bundesliga, we are set to see how a Xabi Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen side responds to defeat. The international break no doubt came at a good time, giving the champions an opportunity to evaluate things and beginning planning another long unbeaten run. Hoffenheim’s attacking prowess, spearheaded by Kramaric will pose a large offensive threat to the Leverkusen backline and both teams to score is well worth backing. However, the visitors should still do enough to get back to winning ways.
HOFFENHEIM VS BAYER LEVERKUSEN TIP: BAYER LEVERKUSEN TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
