Bayer Leverkusen vs. Heidenheim preview: Can die Werkself remain unbeaten?
Bayer Leverkusen will look to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they face Heidenheim on Sunday.
Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen have steam out of the blocks in Xabi Alonso’s first full season in charge, winning five and drawing one of their six competitive matches. After cruising through the first round of the DFB-Pokal, die Werkself began the Bundesliga campaign with three consecutive victories over RB Leipzig, Gladbach and Darmstadt, before they travelled to the Allianz Arena for their most recent league fixture.
Despite falling behind on two occasions against Bayern Munich, they managed to fight back to hold the champions to a 2-2 draw, ensuring they rounded off matchday four in top spot. Leverkusen carried their impressive domestic form onto the European stage in midweek, as they kicked off their Europa League campaign with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Swedish side Hacken thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz, Amine Adli, Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann.
Leverkusen will now turn their attention back to league matters, as they look to begin the Bundesliga season with three consecutive home wins. Having scored 13 goals in their opening four league games, Leverkusen will certainly believe they have the firepower required to beat their newly-promoted opponents on Sunday.
Team News
Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Patrik Schick, Arthur and Noah Mbamba are likely to miss out due to injury.
Heidenheim
After losing their opening two matches, Heidenheim received a confidence boost on matchday three when they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Buoyed from claiming their first-ever point in the Bundesliga, Heidenheim went on to claim their maiden top-flight victory in last weekend’s home meeting with Werder Bremen.
They looked to have spurned the opportunity to claim all three points when Bremen fought back to level the contest after Tim Kleindienst and Eren Dinkci had given their side a two-goal lead at the break. However, Heidenheim were able to restore their advantage courtesy of Dinkci’s second goal of the game, before Jan-Niklas Beste found the net to wrap up a memorable 4-2 victory.
Having taken four points from two games, they will attempt to make it three games without defeat when they face a top-quality Leverkusen side. If they are to leave the BayArena with a positive result, Frank Schmidt will know his side needs to produce an improved defensive display after conceding at least two goals in each of their four league matches.
Team News
Marnon Busch is ruled out with a muscular injury, while a knee problem will prevent Elidon Qenaj from injury.