Hoffenheim are set to play host to Bayer Leverkusen at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena on Monday for their latest Bundesliga game.
Hoffenheim come into this game on the back of a 2-1 loss to Heiko Herrlich's Augsburg last Saturday at the WWK Arena. First-half goals from Swiss winger Ruben Vargas and Germany international Andre Hahn ensured victory for Augsburg. Danish attacker Robert Skov scored the consolation goal for Hoffenheim.
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, beat Dimitrios Grammozis' Schalke 2-1 last Saturday at the BayArena. Goals from Argentine striker Lucas Alario and Czech Republic international Patrik Schick sealed the deal for Bayer Leverkusen. Veteran Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored the goal for Schalke.
Hoffenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen Head-to-Head
In 25 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Bayer Leverkusen hold the clear advantage. They have won 15 games, lost six and drawn four.
The two clubs last faced each other last year in the Bundesliga, with Bayer Leverkusen beating nine-man Hoffenheim 4-1. A first-half brace from winger Leon Bailey and second-half goals from young midfielder Florian Wirtz and Argentina international Lucas Alario secured the win for Bayer Leverkusen.
Young Austrian midfielder Christoph Baumgartner scored the consolation goal for Hoffenheim, who had Austria internationals Florian Grillitsch and Stefan Posch sent off in the second-half.
Hoffenheim form guide in the Bundesliga: L-L-L-W-D
Bayer Leverkusen form guide in the Bundesliga: W-L-L-W-L
Hoffenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim have a few injury concerns to deal with. Manager Sebastian Hoeness will be unable to call upon the services of Greek left-back Konstantinos Stafylidis, Bosnia and Herzegovina international Ermin Bicakcic, centre-back Benjamin Hubner and young midfielder Dennis Geiger.
There are doubts over the availability of centre-back Kevin Vogt, young midfielder Marco John, Croatian forward Andrej Kramaric, Armenian striker Sargis Adamyan, Norwegian midfielder Havard Nordtveit, Serbian midfielder Mijat Gacinovic, Germany international Sebastian Rudy and Israeli striker Mu'nas Dabbur.
Injured: Ermin Bicakcic, Benjamin Hubner, Dennis Geiger, Konstantinos Stafylidis
Doubtful: Mu'nas Dabbur, Havard Nordtveit, Mijat Gacinovic, Sargis Adamyan, Andrej Kramaric, Marco John, Kevin Vogt, Sebastian Rudy
Suspended: None
Bayer Leverkusen
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen will be without Dutch defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah, experienced Austrian midfielder Julian Baumgartlinger, Germany international Lars Bender and Dutch left-back Daley Sinkgraven. There are doubts over the availability of Colombian right-back Santiago Arias and young Brazilian forward Paulinho.
Injured: Julian Baumgartlinger, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Daley Sinkgraven, Lars Bender
Doubtful: Santiago Arias, Paulinho
Suspended: None
Hoffenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI
Hoffenheim Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Oliver Baumann, Stefan Posch, Florian Grillitsch, Chris Richards, Pavel Kaderabek, Sebastian Rudy, Diadie Samassekou, Robert Skov, Christoph Baumgartner, Ihlas Bebou, Ishak Belfodil
Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI (3-5-1-1): Lukas Hradecky, Jonathan Tah, Sven Bender, Edmond Tapsoba, Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios, Kerem Demirbay, Charles Aranguiz, Wendell, Nadiem Amiri, Lucas Alario
Hoffenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
Hoffenheim are currently 12th in the league table, and have lost three consecutive league games. Croatian forward Andrej Kramaric continues to be one of their most important players, while the likes of Ihlas Bebou have done well as well.
Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, sacked manager Peter Bosz in March, with Hannes Wolf taking over as interim manager. They are 6th in the league table, and have lost three of their last five league games.
Hoffenheim are in poor form and Bayer Leverkusen should be able to triumph here.
Prediction: Hoffenheim 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
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