Bayer Leverkusen vs Hertha BSC preview: Both sides looking for back-to-back victories
Both teams will be hoping they can claim consecutive wins on Saturday. Leverkusen are battling it out for Champions League qualification, while the visitors are fighting to remain in the top-flight.
| Felix Magath. |
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen find themselves embroiled in a fierce battle for a top-four spot. Die Werkself may head into the weekend in third place, but four points separate them from Hoffenheim who sit in sixth position.
After enduring a four-game winless run in all competitions, Leverkusen entered the international break in a slightly more jovial mood after beating Wolfsburg in their most recent outing. The home meeting with the Wolves looked to be heading towards a goalless draw before Paulinho saved the day with a late double to snatch all three points for Leverkusen.
Die Werkself also enter the contest in impressive home form after losing just one of their last eight Bundesliga home games. In fact, only RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund have collected more home points than Leverkusen in 2022.
Gerardo Seoane's charges will at the very least be confident that they can find the net on Saturday, with Leverkusen currently the third-highest scorers in the Bundesliga.
Team News
Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Amine Adli are all expected to miss out for the rest of the season. Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also ruled out, while Kerem Demirbay is suspended for the contest. There is some positive news for Die Werkself, with their top-scorer Patrik Schick set to return at the weekend.
Hertha BSC
Although he wasn't on the sidelines for his first game in charge due to a positive COVID-19 test, Felix Magath witnessed his new side put on a clinical display to ease past Champions League chasing Hoffenheim.
Niklas Stark netted six minutes before the break to give Hertha a precious half time lead, and their first win of 2022 was assured, when Ishak Belfodil and Lucas Tousart grabbed a goal apiece to wrap up a 3-0 victory.
Hertha now have the chance to claim back-to-back league wins for the first time since October, and with Saturday's visitors sat in the relegation playoff spot, there would be no better time to clinch consecutive victories.
Although hopes of picking up three more points on Saturday may begin to dwindle, when Hertha's recent away form is examined. Die Alte Dame are winless in their last eight away matches, while they have failed to score in six of those contests.
With four of their final seven fixtures taking place away from home, Hertha will be hoping that Magath's arrival results in an improvement on their travels.
Team News
Rune Jarstein is back in training for the visitors, although Alexander Schwolow is expected to keep his place in goal. Lukas Klünter and Vladimir Darida, meanwhile, are both set to return to the Hertha squad on Saturday.
