Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to bounce back from their first league defeat since May 2023 when they travel to PreZero Arena on Saturday when they will face Hoffenheim in their third Bundesliga game of 2024-25. The hosts are currently 11th with three points after two matchweeks and lost 3-1 last time out on August 31 against Eintracht Frankfurt, while the visitors are eighth with three points after they were beaten 3-2 by RB Leipzig on the same date.
Hoffenheim were comfortably beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt in their last league game, with the Eagles producing 13 shots in the penalty area compared to Die Kraichgauer's three. If there was one positive from the match, it was that Andrej Kramaric continued his goalscoring form with a goal in the 54th minute, adding to his three from the opening matchday against Holstein Kiel on August 24. Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo will be concerned that his side have already conceded seven times in their first three competitive games of the 2024-25 season. Matarazzo's team have also only kept one clean sheet in their last 31 Bundesliga matches, though it should be noted that they have won three of their last four fixtures in the top flight.
Hoffenheim's record at PreZero Arena has been strong of late, with the club winning four and drawing one of their last five league games at home, and these results include an impressive 4-2 win against Bayern Munich on May 18. Opponents Bayer Leverkusen come into the clash deflated after their loss against RB Leipzig ended their unbeaten domestic streak, which had lasted 43 games and began in August 2023. Xabi Alonso's side were leading 2-0 in the 45th minute when Alejandro Grimaldo scored his side's second, but the champions eventually lost due to a Kevin Kampl goal in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time, and two strikes from Lois Openda in the second half.
Although Alonso will be disappointed that his team lost, it is difficult to suggest that a defeat was not coming considering they had conceded seven goals in the five competitive games prior to their loss against RB Leipzig. In fact, in their last seven Bundesliga fixtures, Leverkusen have kept just one clean sheet and have conceded 10 goals. Alonso's side have an excellent record on the road and have won 15 of their last 18 Bundesliga matches away from home, including their most recent three by a cumulative score of 13-3. Leverkusen also rank first for expected goals in the top flight in 2024-25, so while they have been vulnerable defensively, they have at least created numerous chances.
Team News
The hosts have numerous absentees, including forward Ihlas Bebou, as well as midfielders Finn Ole Becker and Marco John. Defenders David Jurasek, Ozan Kabak and Grischa Promel are also expected to be unavailable for Hoffenheim, while midfielder Umut Tohumcu is a doubt. As for the visitors, they come into the game without any injury concerns, and they should be able to name a full strength XI. Leverkusen could start Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo as wing-backs, while Granit Xhaka could be partnered in midfield by Aleix Garcia.Possible Starting Lineups
Hoffenheim possible starting lineup: Baumann; Drexler, Grillitsch, Akpoguma; Kaderabek, Geiger, Stach, Prass; Kramaric; Hlozek, BerishaBayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup: Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Terrier; Boniface
The Big Picture
Though Hoffenheim have a strong home record in recent Bundesliga matches, Leverkusen will be looking to bounce back after their historic unbeaten streak came to an end. It would not be surprising if Alonso's side emerged as comfortable victors, although given their recent defensive frailty, they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet. [For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/hoffenheim/preview/preview-hoffenheim-vs-bpoint-leverkusen-prediction-team-news-lineups_552756.html)Leverkusen Seek to Restore Dominance
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. [Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/leverkusen-look-shore-up-defence-bayern-eye-third-straight-win-2024-09-12/), the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to win both of those matches, they had no answer for a rampant Lois Openda, who scored twice in the second half to turn the match.Known for late goals — Leverkusen have scored 17 times in the 88th minute or later this year — Alonso’s men were unable to salvage their record. Having qualified for Europe last season, Hoffenheim are an unknown quantity this year. They beat promoted Holstein Kiel in their opener, but were outclassed by fellow UEFA Europa League side Eintracht Frankfurt the week after. While the statement win over Leverkusen broke a stunning streak, Leipzig have quietly been putting together a run of their own.
Leipzig’s last loss — a 2-1 defeat at Bayern Munich thanks to a stoppage-time Harry Kane goal — came in February, a 15-game unbeaten run. They host Union Berlin today, but will be without manager Marco Rose, who saw yellow twice in the win over Leverkusen. Along with Leipzig, Bayern and unlikely league leaders Heidenheim are the only three clubs to have won two from two to start the season. Bayern travel to Holstein Kiel today in just the second meeting between the two clubs. The first took place in the DFB-Pokal in 2021, when Kiel knocked Bayern out on penalties in the second round.
The exit kick-started a run of poor performances in the DFB-Pokal; 20-time winners Bayern have not made it past the quarter-finals for the past four years. Despite leading the league, Heidenheim were to travel to Borussia Dortmund yesterday knowing that the pressure was well and truly on their opponents. Dortmund’s limp scoreless draw at Werder Bremen has again put the spotlight on a side who, despite making the UEFA Champions League final last campaign, stumbled to fifth place in the league. Heideheim coach Frank Schmidt on Thursday backed his side to “make the impossible possible” against their heavily favored opponents. However, Dortmund can count on the debut of striker Serhou Guirassy, who has returned from a knee injury. Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin on Thursday said that Guirassy, who joined from Stuttgart in the summer, had made an “excellent impression” this week.
Baumann's Milestone Match
[TSG Hoffenheim will play host to reigning champions and DFB-Pokal holders Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday](https://onefootball.com/en/news/tsgb04-baumann-set-for-milestone-against-champions-40016289) (15:30 CEST / Live Ticker at tsg-hoffenheim.de). Leverkusen's run in the Bundesliga ended on the last matchday, with the start to the season not going as smoothly as it did last term. Meanwhile, Oliver Baumann is set to draw level with two legends. We have picked out some exciting facts on the clash with the double-winners.…Leverkusen lost a league game for the first time in a long time on Matchday 2?
After a run of 462 days without a Bundesliga defeat and 35 games unbeaten during that time, Bayer 04 Leverkusen lost 3-2 to RB Leipzig on the last matchday. The Werkself even squandered a 3-2 lead.
…Leverkusen's away run is still going strong?
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have not lost any of their last 18 away matches in the Bundesliga since a 3-0 defeat in Bochum on 27 May 2023 (15 wins and three draws) – only Bayern Munich have had a longer run without defeat on the road in the history of the Bundesliga (33 matches between 2012 and 2014). A victory in Sinsheim would also mean the Werkself would win their first two away matches of a BL season for the first time in the club's history.
…TSG have recently been strong at home but with a minor shortcoming?
TSG Hoffenheim have picked up four wins and one draw from their last five Bundesliga home games, taking 13 out of a possible 15 points – TSG's last longer unbeaten streak on home turf came between September 2021 and January 2022 (seven matches: six wins and one draw). However, they have conceded a goal in each of their last 21 BL home games – an ongoing negative club record.
…Leverkusen's defence is not yet solid?
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have conceded five goals across the first two matches of the Bundesliga season – the last reigning champions to concede over four goals in the first two matches were VfB Stuttgart in 2007/08 (also five). Four of the five goals the Werkself have let in have come after the break.
…Baumann is set to draw level with two legends?
TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is about to make his 464th Bundesliga appearance, which would see him draw level with Toni Schumacher and Lothar Matthäus. Baumann is on a run of 91 consecutive BL appearances – the longest ongoing run in the league. He was last absent in November 2021.
