Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfL Wolfsburg preview: Out-of-form sides clash for crucial points | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen look to end a five-game winless streak in all competitions when they host Wolfsburg on Saturday. The visitors are fighting to avoid a first-ever Bundesliga relegation.

Bayer Leverkusen

Kasper Hjulmand’s side challenged Arsenal more than expected, but their league form has been a huge concern since February. Die Werkself have only managed two wins from eight in this timeframe as doubts start to emerge over the Danish coach’s job security.

Before the international break, Leverkusen failed to beat bottom-placed Heidenheim in a six-goal thriller. Similarly, they have conceded three goals in the draw at Freiburg in their previous away fixture.

Team News

Aleix Garcia is the next Leverkusen player to miss a league game for accumulated yellow cards. Jarell Quansah was unable to join England’s squad with thigh issues, and he’ll be missing Saturday’s game as well. Martin Terrier will also be on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

VfL Wolfsburg

As one of the few clubs yet to be relegated from Bundesliga, Wolfsburg are facing one of their most challenging campaigns since promotion three decades ago. The return of Dieter Hecking promised to avoid that risk in the final months of the season.

However, since the arrival of the 61-year-old coach, Wolfsburg only drew with Hoffenheim before the home defeat to Werder Bremen in a relegation six-pointer. The Lower Saxony club are winless in their last ten Bundesliga encounters.Team News

Moritz Jenz and Lovro Majer will be absent due to suspensions after incidents in injury-time against Bremen. Defender Jeanuël Belocian is expected to face his parent club.

Head-to-head record

Leverkusen extended their unbeaten record against Wolfsburg to eight games with a 3-1 victory in the corresponding fixture. Hjulmand’s troops scored their goals inside the first 35 minutes.

They were in third place at the time, but they’re now four points behind the last Champions League spot. The ever-present Maximilian Arnold was among the scoresheet when Wolfsburg last prevailed in this fixture back in October 2021.

Predicted Lineups

Leverkusen: Flekken; Badé, Andrich ©, Tapsoba; Culbreath, Palacios, Fernandez, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick

Wolfsburg: Grabara; Belocian, Vavro, Koulierakis; Kumbedi, Maehle; Eriksen ©, Vinicius Souza; Lindström, Amoura; Pejcinovic