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Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hertha BSC
The international break is over and club football is finally back on the agenda this weekend. In the Bundesliga, the 28th matchday is already being played and for the relegation-threatened capital club Hertha BSC, there is a very difficult away game. Their opponents are Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena on Saturday afternoon at 15:30.
On the weekend before the international break, both teams were among the big winners of the matchday. From the top half of the table, only leaders Bayern and Leverkusen picked up three points. The Old Lady from Berlin, on the other hand, managed their first ever win in 2022 with a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim. After Stuttgart’s 3-2 win over Augsburg, Hertha as well as Augsburg and Stuttgart now each have 26 points on their account. Arminia from Bielefeld follow in 17th place with just one point less. The relegation battle this year could really remain exciting until the very last second.
In our Leverkusen vs Hertha betting tips, we tell you whether we think the Berliners can take the next step towards staying in the relegation zone on Saturday and what other predictions we would make for this very interesting match.
Leverkusen – Hertha info
– Date & Time: 02.04.2022, 15:30 Uhr
– Venue: Leverkusen, BayArena (up to 30.000 spectators)
– Competition: Bundesliga, 28th matchday
– TV broadcast: Sky Sport Bundesliga
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
The Werkself from Leverkusen face the tricky task in the final spurt of the season of somehow defending third place in the table and the associated qualification for the Champions League despite the many serious absences. Both RB Leipzig (45 points) and SC Freiburg (45) and TSG Hoffenheim (44) are breathing down Bayer’s neck (48). At the end of the season, however, only two of these four clubs will be able to finish in the top 4.
With the injuries to Patrik Schick, Florian Wirtz, Jeremieh Frimpong and Amine Adli, the offensive in particular has been increasingly weakened in recent weeks. At least for top scorer Schick, however, an end to his suffering is now in sight. He could be an option for the squad again on Saturday against Hertha. With the Czech on board, Bayer Leverkusen might even manage to break the club record of 77 goals in a Bundesliga season. Gerard Seoane’s side are currently on 66 goals after 27 games, which is their best ever at this stage.
Scarcely any goal threat without Wirtz
However, the last few games have shown how important the only 18-year-old Wirtz has already become for the offensive game. He was forced off early in the derby against Cologne due to injury, after which his team lost 1-0. This was followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Atalanta Bergamo in the Europa League, before the Werkself just managed to win the away game in Wolfsburg 2-0 thanks to two late wild card goals from Paulinho (86th, 90th). In doing so, he broke the spell of almost 300 goalless minutes of competitive play previously.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
– 48 points from 27 games.
– Last win 2:0 in Wolfsburg
– Already 66 goals after 27 games – Leverkusen’s best at this stage
– None of the last 5 duels with Hertha won
Hertha form & balance check
With a 3-0 home win against Hoffenheim, Hertha BSC managed a small liberation blow on the last matchday before the international break. After five defeats in a row and only two points from the last nine games, this was finally the first win in the calendar year 2022. In addition, it was not only the highest win of the season, but also the first time since the beginning of data collection in 1992 that the Berliners have scored three goals from free kicks in a match. More importantly, however, was the fact that a marked change was on show in terms of fight and passion.
With Magath to stay in the league?
The signing of Felix Magath and his coaching team already seems to be bearing fruit. Against Leverkusen, he will be on the sidelines himself for the first time after overcoming his Corona infection. After eight away games without a win, the Old Lady ideally wants to get the next three points there. Statistically speaking, it doesn’t look too bad. The capital city team has been unbeaten against Bayer for five matches, has only lost one of the last four guest games in Leverkusen and almost won the first leg 1:0. However, ex-Hertha player Robert Andrich scored from a free kick in the 90th minute to make the final score 1-1.
Hertha facts & analysis
– 26 points from 27 games
– Last win 3:0 against Hoffenheim
– Scored 3 goals from free kicks for the first time since data was collected
– Won again after 9 games without a win
Predicted line-up – last update on 31 March 2022
For the Werkself, the numerous absences hurt. Besides top talent Florian Wirtz, Jeremieh Frimpong, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and recently also Amine Adli are not available. He tore a tendon in his right thigh during a test match with the French U21 national team. Paulinho could once again take Wirtz’s place. Kerem Demirbay was the first player in the Bundesliga to receive his tenth yellow card last matchday and is now missing for the second time. Charles Aranguiz is likely to start in his place. Both Lucas Alario and Sardar Azmoun could start up front.
The Berliners will only have to do without keeper Rune Jarstein and Kelian Nsona (cruciate ligament tear) on Saturday. The starting eleven could remain unchanged compared to the 3:0 against Hoffenheim, but we expect the recovered Stevan Jovetic back in the attack. It could possibly be a 3-5-2 system again.
In training camp Henrik Kuchno keeps our Herthans fit! 🏋️ At MachDichHertha our athletics coach reveals whether 1️⃣0️⃣.0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ steps are necessary every day. On top of that, there are 3️⃣ tips for more exercise in everyday life: https://t.co/6OfLBVpTV0 ⬅️GemeinsamHertha HaHoHe pic. twitter.com/MyIgovkGSM
– Hertha BSC (@HerthaBSC) March 30, 2022
Leverkusen – Hertha direct comparison & Statistics
The direct comparison is clearly in favour of the Werkself with 27 to 17 wins and 13 draws. In recent years, however, the tide has surprisingly turned. The Berliners have not lost any of the last five duels. In addition to three victories, there have been two draws. In the first leg, Leverkusen just managed to salvage a draw with a last-minute equaliser. Leverkusen have won only one of their last four matches at the BayArena. Most recently, the Old Lady even went two matches in a row without conceding a goal (1-0 away win and 0-0).
– Did you know that Bayer Leverkusen score 20% of their goals between the 0-15 minute?
– The comparisons between the two clubs last season: 0-0 (home to Bayer Leverkusen) and 3-0 (home to Hertha BSC).
– The most common result between Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha BSC is 1-2. 5 matches ended like this.
– A look at Bayer Leverkusen: Patrik Schick is the top scorer with 20 goals. 6 times Stevan Jovetic scored for Hertha BSC.
