Table of Contents
Bayer Leverkusen – Hertha BSC
This weekend the Bundesliga has a full programme for you again. On Sunday, on matchday 23, two teams will meet in the Rhineland that are pursuing completely different ambitions, but are currently not that far apart in the league. The eleventh-placed Werkself welcomes the 14th-placed capital club at 3:30 p.m. Find out who can end the weekend on a positive note in our Leverkusen vs Hertha tip.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen is currently an absolute surprise. After losing 3-2 at home to FSV Mainz 05 a fortnight ago, Bayer played a strong game at fourth-placed Freiburg the previous week and managed a 1-1 draw. Nevertheless, Leverkusen have only managed one win in their last five league games.
Hertha, on the other hand, put clear exclamation marks on the relegation battle in their last two home games. After the Alte Dame beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 4-1 at home in the Olympiastadion on matchday 20, Hertha also won the basement duel against Augsburg 2-0 the previous week and delivered a strong performance.
Leverkusen – Hertha info:
– Date & Time: 05.03.2023, 15:30 hrs.
– Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen
– Competition: Bundesliga, 23rd matchday
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Leverkusen Form & Balance Check
Bayer Leverkusen had a very weak start to the current season. After only one win from the first eight games, coach Gerardo Seoane had to pack his bags. His successor Xabi Alonso initially brought about a clear improvement. The team with the Bavarian cross on its chest won five Bundesliga games in a row.
However, the last few league games were again unfortunate for Leverkusen. In their last home match, Bayer 04 conceded a 3-2 defeat against Mainz 05. Nevertheless, Leverkusen managed an impressive comeback in the Europa League. The team beat Monaco on penalties to reach the last 16. Buoyed by this euphoria, the Werkself earned a 1-1 draw at top-flight Freiburg last Sunday.
New striker hope?
Patrik Schick was the focal point at Bayer Leverkusen last season as he scored 24 times in the league. But so far this season, the Czech striker has only hit the net twice and has sat out eight games since November due to injury. In the meantime, however, Schick has resumed team training and made his comeback for the Werkself in the match against Mainz.
Against Freiburg, however, a player played himself into the spotlight who most Bayer fans have probably already forgotten. Sardar Azmoun scored his first goal of the season for the Werkself and played a strong game. The Iranian international came to the Rhine in the winter of 2022 from Zenit St. Petersburg and has shown many good approaches since his transfer. However, the 28-year-old has always been unlucky in his finishing. Perhaps Azmoun will now be able to build on his good performance against Freiburg.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
– Only four points from last five Bundesliga games.
– Currently in eleventh place in the league
– In the last 16 of the Europa League against Ferencváros Budapest
Hertha form & balance check
The situation at the Old Lady from West Berlin remains extremely critical this season. After 22 games, Hertha BSC occupy 14th place in the Bundesliga table and have collected only 20 points so far. The first four games after the winter break were particularly disappointing, with the team scoring just one goal and conceding a whopping 13.
Nevertheless, there is one bright spot: Hertha has been convincing at home in recent weeks. Three weeks ago, there was a strong 4:1 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach. And the previous week, the Alte Dame also delivered a solid game, winning 2-0 in the important match against FC Augsburg.
Hertha’s away curse
Nonetheless, there is still a lot of catching up to do in Hertha’s offensive at the moment. Hertha’s top scorer this season is Dodi Lukébakio, who has already scored nine goals in the Bundesliga. However, the entire Berlin team has only scored 27 goals this season, making it one of the weakest teams in the league. Only three teams have scored fewer goals.
Especially away from home, Hertha’s attack lags behind its standards. In the first ten away games in this Bundesliga season, Berlin scored only nine goals. This meagre goal haul also leads to the Old Lady’s disastrous points tally in foreign stadiums. Hertha earned only four points away from home. Since mid-September, Berlin has gone without a point away from home.
Hertha facts & analysis
– Lost the last six away games in the league.
– Currently in 14th place in the league
– Fourth weakest offense in league
Predicted lineup – last updated March 4, 2023
Against Hertha, head coach Xabi Alonso will again send his team into the match with a 3-4-3. Sardar Azmoun scored his first goal of the season for the Werkself against SCF and is again a candidate for the starting eleven. We also expect Florian Wirtz to be in the starting line-up. In addition, Piero Hincapié will return to the starting eleven after his yellow suspension. Charles Aránguiz is still missing for the Rhinelanders due to injury.
Coach Sandro Schwarz will again go for a 3-5-2 system and the same team as the previous week. Cigerci, Tousart and Serdar will be lined up in central midfield. Niederlechner will form the forward duo together with Ngankam. Jovetić, Kanga, Ejuke and Nsona will have to watch the game from the sidelines due to injuries.
Leverkusen – Hertha direct comparison & Statistics
So far, the two teams have faced each other 59 times in competitive matches. The Werkself mostly kept the upper hand and won 28 games against the old lady. Hertha, on the other hand, have only won 17 times against Leverkusen. In the first leg, the two teams drew 2:2 at the Olympiastadion.
– Hertha have not won any of their last three games against Leverkusen.
– When Leverkusen lead 1-0 in home games, they win 80% of the games.
– Leverkusen win 31% of their halves, Hertha win only 24
– Hertha have failed to score in 3 of their 10 away games in the Bundesliga this season
