Wolfsburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Two European hopefuls face off
Two sides that are looking to qualify for European competition will go head-to-head on Sunday when Wolfsburg face Bayer Leverkusen at the Volkswagen Arena.
| Photo: Bayer 04 Leverkusen |
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg’s six-game unbeaten run, which consisted of two wins and four draws, was brought to an end by Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend. Goals from Nathan Ngoumou and Marcus Thuram condemned Wolfsburg to a 2-0 away defeat.
After losing on their travels for the first time since January, Wolfsburg head into Sunday’s contest in ninth place with four points separating them from Leverkusen, who currently sit in sixth position.
If Niko Kovac’s side are to qualify for European competition then they will need to improve on home turf between now and the end of the season. Although Wolfsburg have only lost three home league games this season, they are winless in their previous five matches at the Volkswagen Arena, with their last three home games all finishing in a draw.
Wolfsburg will be concerned by the fact that none of the last 13 meetings between themselves and Leverkusen have been won by the home side on the day.
Team News
Kovac is without the services of Lukas Nmecha and Bartol Franjic, who are both sidelined with injury issues.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run to 10 competitive games with a 1-1 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise in Thursday’s Europa League clash. Victor Boniface gave the Belgian side the lead, before Florian Wirtz equalised in the 82nd minute, ensuring the quarter-final tie remains finely poised ahead of next week’s second leg.
Die Werkself will now turn their attention to Sunday’s away meeting with Wolfsburg, where they have the chance to claim a sixth consecutive victory in the Bundesliga.
Xabi Alonso’s side will finish the weekend in sixth position whatever the result is on Sunday. However, they can move four points clear of the teams chasing from behind if they can claim a victory.
Having won five and drawn one of their last six Bundesliga away games against Wolfsburg, Leverkusen will be confident of claiming a positive result.
Team News
The visitors are unable to call upon the injured trio of Andrey Lunev, Exequiel Palacios and Patrik Schick.