Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag will hope to start his tenure with a win against hosts Sonnenhof Grossaspach in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Friday at WIRmachenDRUCK.
Leverkusen's fourth-tier opponents last competed in the competition in 2013, while Ten Hag's side won the tournament in 2023-24, but were eliminated at the semi-final stage by 2. Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld in last season's edition.
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Sonnenhof Grossaspach vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: Vulnerable visitors?
Key stats
- Leverkusen have played five friendlies under Ten Hag, conceding eight goals while scoring eight, and also conceded at least two goals in their final three matches of 2024-25.
- In fourth-tier Sonnenhof Grossaspach's last eight games, they have found the back of the net at least twice in each outing.
- The visitors have only been prevented from scoring once in their 10 most recent fixtures.
Correct score prediction: Sonnenhof Grossaspach 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen must be seen as clear favourites considering they are three divisions above their hosts, and the quality gap between the sides should help the visitors win comfortably.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Leverkusen predicted to win by the bookmakers
- HOME: 18/1 (19) – 5.3%
- DRAW: 9/1 (10) – 10%
- AWAY: 1/16 (1.06) – 94.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Bayer Leverkusen are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 94.1%, and the bookmakers believe that Sonnenhof Grossaspach do not have much of a chance.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First competitive meeting
The two sides have only clashed once before, with Sonnenhof Grossaspach winning 1-0 in a friendly in 2015, but Friday's game will be their first ever competitive meeting.
Club Friendly List 05/07/15
SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach
Bayer Leverkusen
Sonnenhof Grossaspach preview: Strong start to the season
Sonnenhof Grossaspach have started their season well, winning both of their two league fixtures, and they have in fact extended their winning streak to eight matches.
The hosts will hope that strikers Michael Kleinschrodt and Fabian Eisele can lead them to victory against their Bundesliga opponents.
Predicted lineup: Reule (GK), Rahn, Aidonis, Nuraj, Mohr, Mistl, Celiktas, Maier, Tasdelen, Kleinschrodt & Eisele
Germany Regionalliga South West 09/08/25
W
FC Astoria Walldorf
1
SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach
4
Germany Regionalliga South West 02/08/25
W
TSG Balingen
1
SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach
6
Europe Friendlies 18/07/25
W
Bayern Munich II
1
SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach
3
Club Friendly List 04/07/25
W
TSG Backnang
1
SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach
3
Germany Oberliga Baden-Wuerttemberg 31/05/25
W
SV Oberachern
3
SG Sonnenhof Grossaspach
5
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Upheaval at all levels
Not only did title-winning coach Xabi Alonso depart to Real Madrid in the summer, but influential attacker Florian Wirtz and key midfielder Granit Xhaka have also left the club.
Ten Hag will hope that newcomers like centre-back Jarell Quansah can help minimise any potential upheaval.
Predicted lineup: Flekken (GK) Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie, Tella, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo, Maza, Schick & Adli
Germany Bundesliga I 11/05/25
L
Borussia Dortmund
4
Bayer Leverkusen
2
Germany Bundesliga I 04/05/25
D
SC Freiburg
2
Bayer Leverkusen
2
Germany Bundesliga I 26/04/25
W
Augsburg
0
Bayer Leverkusen
2
Germany Bundesliga I 20/04/25
D
St Pauli
1
Bayer Leverkusen
1
Germany Bundesliga I 12/04/25
D
Union Berlin
0
Bayer Leverkusen
0
Player to watch: Jarell Quansah
Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah was brought to the club as a potential leader in the backline.
The Englishman struggled for gametime at Liverpool, but he will be keen for his first clean sheet as a Bayer Leverkusen player.