Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hoffenheim Prediction, Tips & Odds – Aug. 20, 2022 15:30 CET
Bayer Leverkusen played well in first two rounds in the Bundesliga, but didn’t collect a single point. Now, they will have a chance to make up for it all against Hoffenheim.
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Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen finished in third place in the Bundesliga last season, so they will play in the Champions League for the first time after three years. However, they didn’t strengthen squad during this summer. Bayer signed only Adam Hlozek from Sparta Prague, but also there were no significant departures. That means that Leverkusen team is entering new campaign with an almost identical lineup.
Main ambition of Bayer Leverkusen is to establish itself as one of four best clubs in the Bundesliga, but new season didn’t start well. They suffered two defeats in the first two rounds, although they didn’t look so bad on the pitch. Last week at “BayArena” they were defeated by Augsburg 2:1 even though they dominated. It’s simply unbelievable how many good chances Bayer didn’t convert into a goal, which is why they were punished at the end.
Now Hoffenheim arrives in Leverkusen and it is an opportunity for Gerardo Seoane’s team to score first points this season. As already mentioned, Bayer’s game hasn’t been bad so far, but the execution has been disastrous and they will have to fix that in this clash.
Hoffenheim
Although he did a solid job in past two seasons, Sebastian Hoenes didn’t remain head coach of Hoffenheim. Club management decided to go in other way and Andre Breitenreiter was appointed in his place. Last season, he unexpectedly won the title with Zurich in the Swiss Super League and that recommended him for this job.
Considering that ninth place from last season didn’t satisfy Hoffenheim board, it is obvious that they want to fight for a place in Europe. They sold David Raum to Leipzig for 23 million euros, while Angelino arrived on loan from the opposite direction. Looking at squad quality, the real question is whether this team can make it to top 7 or not.
In the first two rounds, defense was a huge problem for Hoffenheim. They conceded five goals in total against Borussia Monchengladbach and Bochum, but also showed grit and character when they overturned 0-2 to 3-2 last weekend. It won’t be easy for them in Leverkusen because if defense fails again, Sardar Azmoun and Patrik Shick will know how to punish them.
H2H
These two teams played against each other twice last season. Bayer won 4:2 in Hoffenheim, while the score in Leverkusen was 2:2.
Injuries
Florian Wirtz, Karim Bellarabi, Amine Adli and reserve goalkeeper Andrey Lunev are injured and won’t play for Bayer Leverkusen in this match. Robert Andrich is questionable.
Hoffenheim won’t be able to count on Ihlas Bebou, Benjamin Hubner and Philipp Pentke on Saturday due to injuries. Ermin Bicakic still isn’t 100% ready either.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Hoffenheim Prediction
If Bayer Leverkusen hadn’t lost first two games in the Bundesliga, odds on their win would been much lower. Just because they failed to score from many chances they created against Augsburg doesn’t mean they won’t do so against Hoffenheim this weekend.
Date and Time: 20.08.2022 15:30 CET
Pick: Bayer Leverkusen to win
Odds: 1.69
Bookmaker: Ivibet
