Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, face struggling Heidenheim this Saturday at the BayArena for their 11th match in the Bundesliga. The defending champions will be looking to recover from the frustrating result against Bochum as Heidenheim tries to climb away from the relegation zone.
Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen come into this game with only one victory in the last six outings in all competitions. The champions have been inconsistent as they record three consecutive draws in the Bundesliga, including a 1-1 draw against bottom-placed Bochum.
In the game against Bochum, Leverkusen had lost an 18th-minute lead to concede the equalizer in the 89th minute.Coach Xabi Alonso is angry that his team cannot shut games down and called for an improvement.
While Leverkusen have stuttered offensively, netting just one time in their last three matches, their home form remains good. They have lost just once in their past 34 home matches and have won 27 of those.
Defensively, Leverkusen have kept just five clean sheets in 17 matches this season after a minor dip compared to their early form last season.
Heidenheim
On the other side, Heidenheim come into this encounter with a 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg, in which they carved out some great scoring chances-2.42 xG-but failed to make use of them. The team has rarely converted chances in recent games, scoring only twice in their last five.
Frank Schmidt’s side has picked up just one win in their last seven Bundesliga matches, losing six. Their away form is just as worrying, having lost three of their last four league games on the road. They did manage a 2-0 away win in the Conference League against Hearts, which may give them some encouragement, though.
Recent Form
Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga): DDWDDD
Bayer Leverkusen (All Competitions): DDWDLD
Heidenheim (Bundesliga): WLLDLL
Heidenheim (All Competitions): WDLLWL
Team News
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen also remain without Amine Adli until March 2025 due to a broken leg, while Jeanuel Belocian and Nordi Mukiele complete the list of absentees as Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapié look likely to form the back three once more.
Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface should start up-front, though Martin Terrier provides another option.
Heidenheim
Heidenheim will do without Julian Niehues, Thomas Leon Keller, and Luka Janes, as all three central midfielders are not available. The most likely midfield trio would be Lennard Maloney, Jan Schoppner, and Niklas Dorsch.
At right-back, Marnon-Thomas Busch is still out of action. Therefore, Haktab Omar Traoré will start on the right, supported by Patrick Mainka, Benedikt Gimber, and Jonas Föhrenbach at the back.
Predicted Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, García, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface
Heidenheim:
Müller; Traoré, Mainka, Gimber, Föhrenbach; Schoppner, Maloney, Dorsch; Wanner, Pieringer, Scienza
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Heidenheim
Leverkusen’s issues up front might continue into this match, but their phenomenal home record in the BayArena means they will still be favourites going into the match. Heidenheim may very well go toe-to-toe with their opponents, but their poor away form coupled with the inefficiency in their offense may be what ultimately lets them down. Narrow win for the hosts.
