Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Daniel Bauer takes temporary charge for Wolfsburg against Bayer Leverkusen following the firing of Paul Simonis as head coach.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN
How to watch online: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN+
Wolfsburg preview: Simonis out
With Wolfsburg just a point above the top three, Paul Simonis has paid the price and lost his job as head coach. Therefore, the hosts have placed Daniel Bauer in charge on an interim basis whilst they search for a more permanent appointment. Bauer led the team through the international break and will be in the technical area for this match.
After ten rounds of Bundesliga fixtures, Wolfsburg currently sit in 14th-place having lost six and won just two of their ten league matches so far. They’ve conceded 18 goals and also lost four of their last five league games.
Bayer Leverkusen preview: An emphatic response
After losing comprehensively to Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen needed to answer back and answer back they did. Bottom-placed Heidenheim came to the BayArena and got absolutely destroyed as Leverkusen racked up six goals in a thumping win, their sixth of the season.
With Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart playing each other this weekend, it’s absolutely critical that fifth-placed Leverkusen come away with three points, especially when considering the struggles and form of their opponents.
Wolfsburg team news: Injury list still stacked
Wolfsburg remains very much hamstruck with a large number of injuries as up to eight players are set to not feature here, a crisis no Bundesliga club would want to have.
Predicted XI: (4-2-3-1): Grabara; Kumbedi, Vavro, Koulierakis, Zehnter; Arnold, Vinicius; Skov Olsen, Eriksen, Amoura; Wind
Unavailable: Daghim (Injured), Dardai (Injured), Fischer (Injured), Jenz (Injured), Lindstrom (Injured), Mæhle (Injured), Paredes (Injured), Rogerio (Injured)
Questionable:
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Grimaldo status key
Kasper Hjulmand and the Bayer Leverkusen fans are facing a very worrying wait as they wait to see if crucial left-wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo will be passed fit. The Spaniard is nursing a muscle injury.
Predicted XI: (3-4-3): Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Tapsoba; Arthur, Maza, Garcia, Belocian; Tella, Schick, Poku
Unavailable: Fernandez (Injured), Palacios (Injured), Tape (Injured), Vazquez (Injured)
Questionable: Grimaldo (Injured)
Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
This should be seen as a good opportunity for Bayer Leverkusen, but if they are without Grimaldo, then their task will no doubt have been made harder. But scoring goals has not been a problem for this Leverkusen side under Hjulmand with only table toppers Bayern Munich having managed more so far in the Bundesliga this season.
Such firepower should wind up overwhelming Wolfsburg, who have given up three goals in three of their last five in the league. The likes of Patrik Schick could be in for a successful afternoon and Leverkusen are well worth backing to come away with an important three points.
Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win
