Bayer Leverkusen will look to break their winless streak when they face Heidenheim at the BayArena this Saturday in Bundesliga action.
Also Read: Galatasaray Slam Door on Victor Osimhen January Exit Amid Transfer Rumors
Xabi Alonso’s men, who have been uncharacteristically sluggish in recent weeks, will aim to reignite their campaign and maintain their impressive home record against a Heidenheim side battling to stay clear of the relegation zone.
Match Preview
Leverkusen: Aiming for a Comeback
Leverkusen’s season so far has been a mix of brilliance and frustration. While they sit fourth in the Bundesliga with 17 points from 10 games, recent form has raised concerns.
The team has won just one of their last six matches across all competitions, drawing four and losing one. Their most recent league outing—a disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom-placed Bochum—highlighted their struggles in finishing games.
Manager Xabi Alonso expressed his frustration after that match, emphasizing the need to “learn to handle the closing stages better” after conceding a late equalizer.
Leverkusen’s offensive woes have been particularly glaring. They’ve managed just one goal in their last three matches, a stark contrast to the firepower they displayed earlier in the campaign.
Yet, their resilience at BayArena is a silver lining. The champions have lost just once in their last 34 home matches, winning 27.
Heidenheim: Searching for Consistency
Heidenheim, on the other hand, have had a challenging season and currently sit 14th in the Bundesliga with 10 points.
Their recent 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg was a tough pill to swallow, especially given their impressive xG of 2.42 compared to Wolfsburg’s 1.50.
Manager Frank Schmidt will be concerned about his side’s inefficiency in front of goal. They’ve scored only twice in their last five Bundesliga games and have struggled on the road, losing three of their last four away league matches.
However, Heidenheim showed promise in their last away outing—a 2-0 Conference League win over Hearts—which could serve as motivation for the trip to Leverkusen.
Form Guide
- Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga): Winless in three, with three consecutive draws.
- Heidenheim (Bundesliga): One win in their last five, with three defeats.
Team News
Bayer Leverkusen:
Leverkusen will continue to be without Amine Adli, who remains sidelined with a long-term leg injury.
Defenders Jeanuel Belocian and Nordi Mukiele are also unavailable, leaving Alonso to rely on a back three of Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, and Piero Hincapie.
Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface are expected to lead the attack, with Martin Terrier a possible inclusion to bolster the forward line.
Predicted Leverkusen XI:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface
Heidenheim:
Heidenheim will miss midfielders Julian Niehues, Thomas Leon Keller, and Luka Janes due to injuries. Frank Schmidt is likely to deploy Lennard Maloney, Jan Schoppner, and Niklas Dorsch in midfield.
Defensive responsibilities will rest on the shoulders of Patrick Mainka and Benedikt Gimber, with Omar Traore continuing at right-back.
Predicted Heidenheim XI:
Muller; Traore, Mainka, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Schoppner, Maloney, Dorsch; Wanner, Pieringer, Scienza
Match Prediction
While Leverkusen have struggled offensively in recent weeks, their dominance at home is difficult to ignore. Heidenheim’s road troubles and lack of cutting-edge in front of goal make it likely they will struggle to break through Alonso’s resilient defense.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Heidenheim
