Preview - Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim 31 August 19

[Harry85]

Match Day 3
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hoffenheim
Saturday, August 31st 2019
22:30pm (GMT+8 Timing)
Stadium: BayArena

Bayer Leverkusen:
Last five matches form: W D W W W
Average goals per match (18/19): 2.03
Average goals against per match (18/19): 1.53
Top Scorer (18/19): Kai Havertz (17)

Hoffenheim:
Last five matches form: D L L L W
Average goals per match (18/19): 2.06
Average goals against per match (18/19): 1.53
Top Scorer (18/19): Andrej Kramarić (17)

Potentially one of the most entertaining encounters on Match Day 3 in Bundesliga comes at the BayArena as Bayer Leverkusen play host to Hoffenheim. With both of these sides averaging over two goals per game last season, there could be a few goals flying around in this one.

Hoffenheim certainly enjoyed themselves in this matchup last season, beating Leverkusen 4-1 both at home and in this game.

Joel Pohjanpalo is out for the home side. Just the one injury for Hoffenheim too, but it's a big one, as last season's top scorer Andrej Kramarić remains on the side-lines.

Leverkusen ended last season amongst the goals and have carried on in a similar vein this term, beating Paderborn 3-2 here in their opener, and winning 3-1 away at Fortuna Düsseldorf last week.

Hoffenheim lost a close one away at Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening day, but bounced back with a 3-2 success at home to Werder Bremen on Match Day 2.

Leverkusen will likely believe there is room for improvement in their home form having won nine of 17 last season.

Hoffenheim were steady on their travels last term, winning six, drawing seven and losing five.

This isn't the easiest game to call - particularly considering the extent to which Hoffenheim dominated Leverkusen last season. That loss of Kramarić is a big blow though and may prove to be the decisive factor.



Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 4 - 2 Hoffenheim

[Harry85]

Half time: 0 - 0
Full time: 0 - 0
Shots:  20 - 6
Shots on target: 2 - 8
Corner Kicks: 2 - 1
Possession: 75% - 25%


Two bookings for each side at the BayArena, with referee Felix Zwayer taking the names of Jonathan Tah and Lucas Alario of the home side and Stefan Posch and Kevin Vogt of Hoffenheim.


A very one-sided encounter in favour of the home side, with Leverkusen having three quarters of the possession and dominating territorially. In all honesty though they will have been disappointed to have created as little as they did from the ball they did have - only registering two efforts on target over the course of the ninety minutes.


Very little of note in the opening 45 minutes, with neither side managing even a single effort on target. It was the home side who were getting themselves into the more promising positions only to be continually let down by the final shot or pass. 0-0 at the interval.


It was Hoffenheim who had the first real clear chance of the game at the start of the second half. Ishak Belfodil sent scampering clear down the right and into the area. The forward seemed to lose his footing as he got a shot away though, sending his effort straight against the keeper.


Leverkusen then began to take control. Kevin Volland firing in an effort which looked destined for the bottom corner only to be deflected wide, and Nadiem Amiri volleying over at the far post.


Hoffenheim for their part defended heroically in the final third of the game, putting their bodies on the line with last ditch challenges and blocks.


A draw it was in the end then, and no doubt Hoffenheim will have been the far happier of the two sides to have come away with a point on the day.