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Bayer Leverkusen are in Bundesliga action at the BayArena on Sunday, as they host Hoffenheim while looking to keep pace with Bayern Munich at the top of the table.
Peter Bosz's side are just a point behind Bayern Munich in what is a close Bundesliga title race, at least for the moment.
Despite losing a key player in Kai Havertz over the summer, Leverkusen have found a way to keep winning games in the league this season.
On Thursday night, both these sides finished their respective Europa League campaigns on top of their groups. Leverkusen beat Slavia Prague 4-0 at home, while Hoffenheim managed a 4-1 win over Belgian side KAA Gent.
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Last week in the league, Leverkusen heaped yet more misery on Schalke with a 3-0 win at the Veltins Arena.
Hoffenheim, who are currently 10th in the Bundesliga, beat Augsburg 3-0 at home last weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim Head-to-Head
Bayer Leverkusen have won 14 out of the previous 25 clashes against Hoffenheim, while they have lost seven times. These two sides played out draws four times in that period.
Bayer Leverkusen form guide: W-W-W-D-W
Hoffenheim form guide: W-W-D-D-W
Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim Team News
Peter Bosz will be without several first-team players for this game, the most important of which is Kerem Demirbay. The former Hoffenheim man has still not recovered, and will miss this game against his former side.
Injured: Charles Aranguiz, Santiago Arias, Sven Bender, Exequiel Palacios, Paulinho
Doubtful: Kerem Demirbay
For Hoffenheim head coach Sebastian Hoeness, a lot of his injury issues are concentrated in the defence. The likes of Ermin Bicakcic, Benjamin Hubner and Pavel Kaderabek are all ruled out.
Injured: Ermin Bicakcic, Dennis Geiger, Benjamin Hubner, Pavel Kaderabek, Kostas Stafylidis
Doubtful: Ishak Belfodil, Jacob Bruun Larsen
Suspended: None
Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim Predicted XI
Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI (4-3-3): Lukas Hradecky; Lars Bender, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, Daley Sinkgraven; Florian Wirtz, Julian Baumgartlinger, Nadiem Amiri. Leon Bailey, Mousa Diaby, Patrick Schick
Hoffenheim Predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Oliver Baumann, Stefan Posch, Kevin Vogt, Kevin Akpoguma, Ryan Sessegnon; Sebastian Rudy, Diedie Samassekou, Baumgartner; Florian Grillitsch; Ihlas Bebou, Andrej Kramaric
Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim Prediction
We are predicting a narrow Bayer Leverkusen win in this game, because of Hoffenheim's injury troubles in defence.
The likes of Mousa Diaby and Leon Bailey will relish the prospect of playing against a side bereft of so many of their personnel in the defence.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Hoffenheim
