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VfL Wolfsburg – Bayer Leverkusen
After the European Cups during the week, the eyes in football Germany turn back to the Bundesliga this weekend. The 28th matchday is on the agenda and fans are looking forward to many exciting games, including the clash between VfL Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday. The kickers under the Bayerkreuz played a close game against Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League on Thursday, which ended 1-1. Find out whether the spectators will see a winner on Sunday in our Wolfsburg – Leverkusen tip.
The Bundesliga is entering the decisive phase and a look at the table shows that VfL Wolfsburg are currently in ninth place with 39 points. However, the Wolves have only won one of their last five league games and are therefore in danger of losing touch with the European places. In contrast, Bayer Leverkusen are currently on cloud nine. The 3:1 victory against Frankfurt last weekend was already the fifth win in a row in the league for the Werkself.
Wolfsburg – Leverkusen Info
- Date & Time: 16.04.2023, 19:30 Uhr
- Playing venue: Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg
- Competition: Bundesliga, Matchday 28
- TV coverage: DAZN
Wolfsburg Form & Balance Check
After a weak start to the season, coach Niko Kovač’s team steadily improved and in the meantime remained ten games without defeat. However, the series ended at the end of January with a 1-2 defeat against Werder Bremen. Since then, things have not been going so well for the Wolves.
In the next ten games, VfL only managed a meagre two victories. This change in form also led to the Wolves slipping from seventh to ninth place. In the previous week, Wolfsburg also lost 2-0 in Gladbach.
Wolfsburg home weakness
The year 2023 started for VfL Wolfsburg with an outstanding home victory. The Wolves won 6-0 against the Champions League aspirants from Freiburg on 21 January. Since then, however, nothing has gone right for VfL in their own stadium. The Lower Saxons have been waiting for five home games without a win. Two defeats were followed by three draws.
This season, however, the Volkswagen Arena generally does not offer a home advantage. VfL have only won four of their 13 home games so far. In the home table, Wolfsburg is only in 12th place with this record, behind relegation candidates such as Cologne or Bochum.
Wolfsburg facts & analysis
- First two wins in the second half of the season
- Currently in ninth place in the Bundesliga
- Last home win on 21.01.2023 against Freiburg
Leverkusen form & balance check
Bayer Leverkusen have clearly gained form under coach Xabi Alonso after a poor start to the season. The Spaniard took over the Werkself in 17th place and climbed up the table with the team. Bayer 04 are currently unbeaten in the league for six games and have even won their last five matches. At the weekend, the Werkself secured sixth place in the table with a 3:1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
It is the first time this season that Leverkusen is among the top six teams in the Bundesliga. In the Europa League, however, it looked for a long time as if the Werkself would lose against Saint-Gilloise on Thursday. However, Leverkusen eventually fought their way back to a 1-1 draw.
Wirtz makes the difference
Florian Wirtz equalised for Bayer shortly before the end on Thursday. The 19-year-old’s return is one reason for Leverkusen’s upturn in form. Bayer 04’s number 27 missed the first 15 match days after tearing his cruciate ligament in pre-season.
In the meantime, however, the international is once again irreplaceable for the Werkself. Florian Wirtz has an impressive win rate of 86 percent in Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s starting eleven in 2023. Furthermore, with six assists after the winter break, the offensive man is the second best provider in the new year after Raphael Guerreiro. In addition, only Moussa Diaby has more assists than Wirtz at Leverkusen this season.
Leverkusen facts & analysis
- Ten competitive games without defeat
- Currently in sixth place in the league
- Best goalscorer in all competitions is Moussa Diaby with 13 goals
Predicted line-up – last update on 15 April 2023
At VfL Wolfsburg, we once again expect the 4-3-3 to be the basic formation this weekend. Ridle Baku and Patrick Wimmer will return directly to the starting eleven after their yellow suspensions. Kilian Fischer, however, will miss the match due to injury.
The visitors from Leverkusen, on the other hand, will again start the game in a 3-4-3. Xabi Alonso’s team is well-rehearsed. Florian Wirtz recently saved the Werkself in the Europa League and will be looking to get on the scoresheet again in the league on Sunday.
Wolfsburg – Leverkusen direct comparison & statistics
The duel between the two factory clubs has taken place 54 times so far. VfL Wolfsburg won 21 duels, while Leverkusen even won 24 times. However, the Wolves have only lost one of their last six games against Bayer 04, but VfL Wolfsburg have not won at home against Bayer Leverkusen since Dieter Hecking’s time. The last home win dates back to October 2015, when VfL won 2-1. Nicklas Bendtner and Julian Draxler scored for Wolfsburg, while Javier Hernández was successful for Bayer Leverkusen.
- The first leg between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw.
- Both teams are separated by four points in the league.
- When Wolfsburg lead 1-0 in home games, they win only 62% of matches
- Bayer Leverkusen have scored every time in their last 13 matches
