St. Pauli vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
A win here for Bayer Leverkusen at the Millerntor would see them leapfrog St. Pauli in the table.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
St. Pauli preview: Well placed after strong start
St. Pauli head into this latest round of Bundesliga fixtures with somewhat of a nosebleed, sitting fifth-place in the table following an excellent start to the new campaign. They are yet to lose at home and have accumulated seven points from the first 12 available to them, as well as progressing through to the next round of the DFB-Pokal.
However, their unbeaten start to the season came to an end last weekend as they were beaten 2-0 away at Stuttgart. After conceding just before half-time, St. Pauli never recovered and a second-half goal for Stuttgart killed the visitors’ chances.
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Slump continues
Only two wins all season so far across all competitions underlines the struggles that continue to engulf Bayer Leverkusen, despite the firing of boss Erik ten Hag. Their latest dropped points came at home to Borussia Monchengladbach in a 1-1 draw which saw them concede in the second minute of stoppage time after Malik Tillman had put them in front.
An important Champions League home fixture against PSV Eindhoven follows this Bundesliga match, but it’s crucial that Leverkusen focus on domestic football before turning their attentions to Europe. Otherwise they will come undone at a cauldron such as the Millerntor.
St. Pauli team news: Irvine a doubt
St. Pauli could be without Jackson Irvine, with the central midfielder struggling to recove from a muscle injury. They will definitely be missing both Jones and Nemeth with shoulder and groin problems respectively.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Vasilj; Wahl, Smith, Dzwigala; Saliakas, Sands, Fujita, Oppie; Sinani; Hountondji, Pereira Lage
Unavailable: Jones (Injured), Nemeth (Injured)
Questionable: Irvine (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Palacios still out
Bayer Leverkusen remain without the services of midfielder Exequiel Palacios. The Argentinian is still nursing a groin injury and remains alongside Martin Terrier on the treatment table. Nathan Tella is doubtful.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Tapsoba; Vazquez, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Schick, Tillman
Unavailable: Palacios (Injured), Terrier (Injured)
Questionable: Tella (Injured)
St. Pauli vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
St. Pauli had been notorious for their goalscoring prowess this season before being shut out by Stuttgart, but back at home it would be no surprise to see them regain their cutting edge going forward against a side such as Bayer Leverkusen, whose backline is still yet to keep a clean sheet this season in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen are averaging two goals a game across all competitions since the arrival of head coach Kasper Hjulmand and boast enough offensive quality to hurt St. Pauli, but they remain vulnerable at the other end of the pitch. With that in mind, both teams to score is expected in this game and is well worth backing.
St. Pauli vs Bayer Leverkusen tip: Both teams to score
