Hoffenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: European battle takes centre stage in Sinsheim | OneFootball

Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim enter the Rückrunde sitting fifth in the Bundesliga standings, after securing an emphatic 5-1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Wednesday.

Christian Ilzer's side were ruthless on the night - racing into a 4-0 lead at half-time, while goals themselves have become a defining feature of Hoffenheim's season. 

They have scored at least three times in seven of their last 10 league matches, while their current tally of 34 shows a huge improvement when compared to last term, with 20 racked up across 16 matches. 

Hoffenheim have won five consecutive matches at home, and a win this time out against a fellow European contender would keep them within touching distance of fourth-placed Stuttgart, who sit two points ahead having played a game more.

Team news

Die Sinsheimer will be without ex-Leverkusen man Adam Hlozek in attack, while defender Koki Machida remains sidelined. 

Predicted lineup - 4-3-3: Baumann - Coufal, Hranac, Hajdari, Bernardo - Avdullahu, Prömel, Burger - Lemperle, Asllani, Toure

Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen make the trip to Sinsheim in sixth place, just one point behind their hosts, but they are looking to bounce back from a bruising 4-1 defeat against Stuttgart last time out, with their midweek clash against Hamburg postponed.

Kasper Hjulmand's side have kept just one clean sheet in their last six Bundesliga outings, although their attacking output remains respectable, with 10 goals scored during that period. 

Form has been inconsistent overall, with Leverkusen losing three of their last five league games, although those struggles came after back-to-back Bundesliga victories and a Champions League draw. 

Die Werkself will remember the reverse fixture easily, but not for the right reasons. Hoffenheim picked up a 2-1 win against Leverkusen on the opening day of the campaign, and Erik ten Hag's first match in charge before he was sacked just over a week later.

Now, a much more stable outfit under Hjulmand, they will look to get revenge on their hosts this weekend.

Team news

Leverkusen will be without centre-back Edmond Tapsoba due to a muscle injury, while Exequiel Palacios remains sidelined with a groin issue. 

Eliesse Ben Saghir remains with Morocco at AFCON, with the tournament hosts set to take part in the final against Senegal this weekend.

Predicted lineup - 3-4-2-1: Flekken - Andrich, Bade, Quansah - Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia - Tillman, Poku - Schick