Wolfsburg is set to host Bayer Leverkusen at the Volkswagen Arena this Saturday in a crucial Bundesliga matchup. The Wolves are aiming to end their poor home form, having not won on their grounds since January. In contrast, Bayer Leverkusen is riding high and could climb to second place in the league standings with a victory.
Recent Performance Overview
Wolfsburg has struggled significantly in their recent games. They have managed just one win in their last ten matches, placing them perilously close to the relegation zone. The new management changes, which saw the departure of manager Paul Simonis and sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz during the international break, add to the turbulence.
In their last eight matches across all competitions, Wolfsburg has only secured one victory and faced a shocking defeat against Holsten Kiel, a team from the second tier. Daniel Bauer, who has been leading the Under-19 team, has been appointed as the interim coach and hopes to turn the team’s fortunes around quickly.
Bayer Leverkusen on the Upswing
On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen has experienced a resurgence under the guidance of manager Kasper Hjulmand, who took over from Erik ten Hag this summer. Despite an early setback, including a heavy 7-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, the team has bounced back convincingly. They picked up a notable 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League, followed by an impressive 6-0 thrashing of Heidenheim.
Team News and Player Availability
- Wolfsburg Injury List:
- Moritz Jenz (muscle injury)
- Kevin Paredes (foot injury)
- Rogerio (muscular injury)
- Joakim Maehle (shoulder injury)
- Adam Daghim (back injury)
- Bayer Leverkusen Injury List:
- Exequiel Palacios (groin problem)
- Ezequiel Fernandez (knee injury)
- Lucas Vazquez (muscle issue)
Despite these challenges, Wolfsburg welcomes Denis Vavro back to full training, potentially bolstering their defense. Leverkusen remains focused as they strive for further victories.
Predicted Lineups
Wolfsburg: Grabara; Kumbedi, Vavro, Koulierakis, Zehnter; Arnold, Vinicius; Skov Olsen, Eriksen, Svanberg; Wind
Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Tapsoba; Arthur, Maza, Garcia, Belocian; Hofmann, Poku; Schick
Match Prediction
The match is crucial for both sides. Given Wolfsburg’s recent struggles and Bayer Leverkusen’s upward momentum, a victory for the visitors seems likely. The predicted outcome is Wolfsburg 0, Bayer Leverkusen 2, as the latter looks to reinforce their position in the Bundesliga.
