On Saturday afternoon, Hoffenheim hosts Bayer Leverkusen at the PreZero Arena in a game that will have a big say on which teams qualify for the Champions League from the Bundesliga.
Sebastian Hoeness’ team have ruined their chances of a top-six finish this season by failing to win in their last seven matches in the Bundesliga. Last time out in the German top-flight Hoffenheim suffered a 4-3 defeat at home against Freiburg.
The defeat leaves Hoffenheim eighth-place in the German top-flight table, six points adrift of the European spots, with an inferior goal difference to sixth-place Koln. They would need both Koln and seventh place Union Berlin to slip up to qualify for European football for next season.
Die Kraichgauer have failed to win in four home matches in the Bundesliga. However, Hoffenheim has at least remained relatively prolific on home soil in the German top-flight, scoring at least two goals in five of their last eight home matches in the Bundesliga.
Die Werkself could guarantee Champions League football next season with a victory, as Gerardo Seoane’s team are four points clear of fifth-placed RB Leipzig. Bayer’s recent league form has been good, as they head into this clash on the back of four wins in their last six games in the Bundesliga. A 2-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt last time out means that Bayer has also scored at least two goals in four of their last six matches in the German top-flight.
Leverkusen’s recent away form has been inconsistent of late, although Seoane’s team is unbeaten in their last four away games in the Bundesliga. The visitors have also scored at least twice in five of their last seven league matches on their travels.
Forebet predicts that Bayer Leverkusen will record a victory in a high-scoring encounter to seal their place in next season’s Champions League.