With the race for a place in the Bundesliga‘s top four ramping up, chasers Bayer Leverkusen cannot afford to fall further behind by dropping points against hosts Heidenheim on Saturday at Voith Arena.
Sixth-placed Leverkusen come into the weekend's clash with 45 points, a tally that sees them trail fourth-placed Stuttgart by five points, and they must take advantage of last-placed Heidenheim, who are stranded in 18th place with just 14 points.
Read on for our Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen and click here to find more betting tips for today.
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Heidenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen key stats
- Bayer Leverkusen have scored one or fewer goals in seven of their last eight matches.
- Heidenheim have failed to score in four of their past six games.
- The hosts have conceded a joint-league high 14 goals between the 30th minute and the half-time interval.
- The home side have failed to score in six of their 10 Bundesliga clashes against teams currently in the top six.
Heidenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen preview: Champions League football at stake?
| Heidenheim | vs | Leverkusen |
|---|---|---|
| 18th | Position | 6th |
| 14 | Points | 45 |
| 24 | Goals For | 49 |
| 58 | Goals Against | 33 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 17th | Home Rank | 7th |
| 18th | Away Rank | 4th |
Heidenheim may not be officially relegated, but their situation looks hopeless considering they are 10 points from the 16th-placed relegation playoff spot, as well as 11 points from 15th-placed Werder Bremen.
With just eight games left to play in the Bundesliga campaign, the club would likely be better served if they started to make preparations for next season in the second division of German football.
Heidenheim have produced the 10th most big chances in the league this season (60).
The hosts lost a third consecutive match on March 14, losing 1-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt, and they are also winless in their last 13 games, a stretch that encompasses 10 defeats.
There are fears that centre-back Tim Siersleben will not be available on Saturday due to illness, and his potential absence would likely lead to starts for Patrick Mainka and Benedikt Gimber.
Bayer Leverkusen still have to face second-placed Borussia Dortmund, fifth-placed RB Leipzig and fourth-placed Stuttgart before the end of the season, so there could be an opportunity to gain ground on their rivals.
Only Bayern Munich (122) have created more big chances that Leverkusen in the Bundesliga (93).
Die Schwarzroten have struggled for some time, with the visitors only winning one of their past eight games in all competitions, and they are winless in their most recent four (three draws and one loss).
Head coach Kasper Hjulmand will know that he cannot select central defender Edmond Tapsoba because of suspension, and he joins fellow centre-back Loic Bade on the sidelines.
Jarell Quansah has been key in the heart of the backline, and the former Liverpool man may be joined by Robert Andrich and Tim Oermann.
Heidenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen form guide & betting tips
| HEI | vs | LEV |
|---|---|---|
| L-D-L-L-L | League Form | L-D-W-D-D |
| 1 | Points | 6 |
| 18th | Form Table | 9th |
| 5 | Goals For | 6 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 6 |
| L-D-L-L-L | Form (all comps) | W-D-D-D-L |
Whispers predicts: Heidenheim 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
While there may be some that predict a home victory, the safe bet would be to back Bayer Leverkusen at 1.57 against the worst team in the division.
Leverkusen should have enough quality to take advantage of their hosts' defence, so priced at 1.5, it could be sensible to back Leverkusen to Score Over 1.5 Goals.
As for Heidenheim, there is sense in predicting them to Score Under 0.5 Goals - priced at 2.6 - given they have struggled offensively.
Leverkusen have not been at their best in the final third either, but considering Heidenheim have frequently conceded in the closing stages of the first half, there is value in predicting Leverkusen to Win the First Half, priced at 2.
> Under 0.5 goals for Heidenheim | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 1.5 goals for Leverkusen | Likelihood: Possible
> Leverkusen to lead at half time | Likelihood: Probable