Bayer Leverkusen is set to host St. Pauli at the BayArena this Saturday as they aim to strengthen their position in the Bundesliga. The match comes at a crucial time for both teams, with Leverkusen keen to close the gap on the top four, while St. Pauli fights against relegation.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Recent Form
Leverkusen is currently in solid form, collecting seven points from their last three Bundesliga matches. Despite this, they remain three points shy of a Champions League spot. Their home record is impressive, with four wins in the last five games at the BayArena, including four clean sheets.
Match History Against St. Pauli
The last encounter between the two sides saw Leverkusen prevail with a 3-0 victory in the DFB Pokal quarter-finals. Historically, they have won five of their last six meetings against St. Pauli.
St. Pauli’s Rejuvenation
St. Pauli has shown signs of life, recently securing a vital 2-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart, which halted a six-match winless streak. This win was crucial, bringing them within two points of safety in the Bundesliga standings. However, they face challenges with one of the worst away records, achieving only one victory in 11 away matches this season.
Injury Concerns
Both teams are dealing with injuries ahead of the match. Bayer Leverkusen’s forward Eliesse Ben Seghir is sidelined with an ankle injury, while goalkeeper Mark Flekken continues to recover from a knee issue. Other players like Nathan Tella and Ibrahim Maza are also unavailable.
St. Pauli is similarly affected, with Ricky-Jade Jones, Connor Metcalfe, David Nemeth, and Andreas Hountondji out due to various injuries. This situation may create challenges as they face a formidable opponent.
Predictions for the Match
Despite St. Pauli’s recent resurgence, their away record raises doubts about their ability to secure points at Bayer Leverkusen. Predictions lean toward a Leverkusen victory, with an expected scoreline of 2-1 in favor of the home side.
- Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga form: W L L W W D
- St. Pauli Bundesliga form: L L D D L W
- Previous meeting: Leverkusen 3 – 0 St. Pauli
Leverkusen will look to capitalize on their home advantage, while St. Pauli will strive to upset the odds and secure valuable points in their fight against relegation.
