TSG Hoffenheim – Bayer Leverkusen
This weekend, matchday 10 in the Bundesliga promises to be another exciting one. One of the upcoming duels in the Saturday conference is the clash between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen. This important encounter will take place at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim. Find out who will secure the three points in the Kraichgau in our Hoffenheim – Leverkusen betting tip.
Hoffenheim will be looking to finally turn things around at home. The Kraichgau side have lost both of their last two games at home with a 3-1 scoreline, and TSG were also knocked out of the cup on Wednesday when they lost 1-0 in Dortmund.
The visitors from Leverkusen, on the other hand, are currently continuing their outstanding form seamlessly. The Werkself remain enthroned at the top of the table and also won 2:1 against SC Freiburg last weekend. In the DFB Cup, a heavily rotated Werkself also beat third-division side Sandhausen 5:2.
Hoffenheim – Leverkusen Info:
- Date & Time: 04.11.2023, 15:30 hrs.
- Playing venue: PreZero Arena, Sinsheim
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 10
- TV broadcast: Sky
Hoffenheim Form & Balance Check
Hoffenheim fought against relegation for a long time in the previous season. At the start of this season, however, TSG are playing for Europe rather than against relegation to Bundesliga 2. After five games, the team from Kraichgau were in fifth place in the table with twelve points. However, TSG have only picked up six points from their last four games.
In addition to two away wins against Stuttgart and Bremen, the Kraichgauers also suffered two disappointing home defeats during this period. Coach Materazzo’s team lost 3-1 to both BVB and Eintracht Frankfurt, while TSG were also eliminated from the DFB Cup against Borussia on Wednesday.
Stach enormously important
Anton Stach moved from Greuther Fürth to FSV Mainz 05 in the summer of 2021, where the now 24-year-old performed strongly and even developed into an international player. In 2022, the midfielder played a total of 31 minutes in the DFB jersey under national coach Hansi Flick against Israel and Italy. In the pre-season, however, the midfielder was no longer happy with his time with the Nullfünfer.
FSV coach Bo Svensson mostly deployed Stach in attacking midfield, while the 24-year-old preferred to play in central midfield. For this reason, he moved to TSG Hoffenheim in the summer. The Bucholz native is now an absolute regular there and is probably even secretly still hoping to take part in Euro 2024 in his own country
Hoffenheim facts & analysis
- Still without a draw in the league
- In 6th place in the Bundesliga
- Won 2:1 in Stuttgart the previous week
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
The Werkself’s outstanding form continues. Although it is already November, Bayer 04 have still not conceded a single defeat in all competitions this season. The Werkself’s only loss on points was a 2-2 draw in the top-of-the-table clash against Bayern Munich.
Last week, however, Leverkusen struggled somewhat in their home match against SC Freiburg. In the end, however, it was a narrow 2:1 victory. Bayer 04 also struggled for a long time in the match against SV Sandhausen from the 3rd division. With a much-changed line-up, the Werkself found it difficult to get into the game. In the end, however, the Rhinelanders won 5:2.
Ball possession increasingly important
The Werkself have put in a strong attacking performance this season, scoring 27 goals in their first nine games so far. This means that Bayer 04, together with VfB Stuttgart, has the second-best offense in the Bundesliga, just behind FC Bayern. In contrast to the previous season, coach Xabi Alonso is not just relying on a direct, vertical game and quick switching moments this time.
Instead, the Werkself are characterized by longer periods of possession and precise passing, which switches to quick attacks depending on the situation. It is therefore not surprising that Leverkusen currently have the third-highest possession percentage in the league and play the most accurate passing in the league with an impressive passing rate of 89.9%.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
- Leading the Bundesliga table
- Won 2:1 against Freiburg in the previous week
- Second-best offense in the Bundesliga
Predicted line-up – last update on November 4, 2023
TSG Hoffenheim will once again line up in a 3-5-2. Central defender Ozan Kabak was sent off against BVB in the cup, but is eligible to play in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, we expect the Turkish international to start on the bench. Pavel Kaderabek and Florian Grillitsch will probably be available again for TSG on Saturday.
In the cup against Sandhausen, coach Xabi Alonso made changes to eight positions. On Saturday, however, we expect the Werkself to be back with their usual personnel. Against TSG, we expect Leverkusen to field the same starting XI as against Freiburg
Hoffenheim – Leverkusen head-to-head & stats
Bayern 04 Leverkusen usually had the upper hand in the duels with TSG Hoffenheim. The Werkself won 17 duels, while Hoffenheim only managed eight victories. Leverkusen won the last encounter 3:1
- Hoffenheim have won just one of their last six games against Leverkusen
- Hoffenheim’s last home win against Leverkusen was on 01/02/2020
- Eight points separate the two teams in the league
