Bayer Leverkusen vs Wolfsburg Preview: Predictions, Team News, Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen will host Wolfsburg at the BayArena on Saturday. Filmogaz.com offers a concise preview that includes predictions, team news and expected lineups.
Form and stakes
Leverkusen sit sixth in the Bundesliga with seven games remaining. They hold an eight-point cushion over seventh-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.
The hosts have not won in five matches after a 3-3 draw with bottom club Heidenheim. Their last league victory came a month ago, a 1-0 win over Hamburger SV.
Despite the poor run, Leverkusen have lost only once in eight outings overall. They remain unbeaten at home since the 4-1 defeat by Stuttgart on January 10.
Wolfsburg arrive under serious pressure. The club sit 17th with 21 points and face real relegation danger.
Dieter Hecking returned as manager on March 8. He has collected a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim and suffered a 1-0 loss to Werder Bremen.
The visitors are three points behind 16th-placed St Pauli. They trail 15th-placed FC Köln by five points and have lost four of their last six away matches.
Team news
Bayer Leverkusen
Right wing-back Arthur is out with an ankle injury. Lucas Vazquez is sidelined with a calf problem.
Eliesse Ben Seghir also has an ankle issue. Centre-back Jarell Quansah picked up a thigh injury against Heidenheim.
Loic Bade is doubtful due to a hamstring complaint. Midfielder Aleix Garcia is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards.
Martin Terrier is on the sidelines with a hamstring problem. Expect Exequiel Palacios and Ezequiel Fernandez in midfield.
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg face a defensive crisis. Cleiton Santos (ankle) and Jenson Seelt (knee) are injured.
Moritz Jenz is suspended after his sending-off against Werder Bremen. Full-backs Kilian Fischer and Rogerio are unavailable.
Bence Dardai is out for the season with a knee injury. Kevin Paredes has a muscular problem.
Lovro Majer is suspended after collecting five yellow cards. Christian Eriksen and Vini Souza are likely to anchor the midfield.
Lineups and tactical notes
Possible Leverkusen XI: Flekken; Oermann, Andrich, Tapsoba; Culbreath, Palacios, Fernandez, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick. The hosts may field a back three if needed.
Possible Wolfsburg XI: Grabara; Belocian, Vavro, Koulierakis; Kumbedi, Eriksen, Souza, Maehle; Lindstrom, Amoura; Wind. Hecking could deploy a three-man defence.
Leverkusen must arrest their decline to protect their top-six position. Wolfsburg will look to exploit defensive gaps and chase points urgently.
Prediction
Filmogaz.com forecasts a 1-1 draw. Leverkusen lack cutting edge but remain hard to beat at home.
Wolfsburg will fight for survival and can frustrate the hosts. A share of the points seems the likeliest outcome.
