Bundesliga Clash: Heidenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen - Match Preview, Team News & Line-ups
Bayer Leverkusen continues their push for a top-four spot in the Bundesliga as they travel to the Voith Arena to face struggling Heidenheim this Saturday.
Heidenheim currently anchors the Bundesliga table with a mere 14 points, placing them ten points adrift of 16th-placed St. Pauli. Frank Schmidt's squad last secured a victory in December last year, triumphing 2-1 over Freiburg. Since then, their struggles have deepened, culminating in a recent 1-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, which effectively sealed their fate for relegation from the top flight.
Regarding team news for Heidenheim, Tim Siersleben is sidelined due to illness; Patrick Mainka is expected to step in as his deputy. Forward Budu Zivzivadze is a strong candidate to lead the attack.
Bayer Leverkusen enters this fixture following a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Despite the loss, Kasper Hjulmand's side can be proud of their resilient performance across both legs against The Gunners. With their Champions League journey concluded, Leverkusen can now fully concentrate on the Bundesliga to secure a coveted top-four finish.
Die Werkself are five points behind 4th-placed Stuttgart in the league standings, with eight matches remaining to bridge the gap and ensure qualification for next season's Champions League. Leverkusen's last two Bundesliga encounters ended in draws against Freiburg and Bayern Munich. Stuttgart's recent victory over RB Leipzig means Hjulmand's team now has an opportunity to potentially overtake them, should other results this matchday favor them.
On the injury front for Leverkusen, Loïc Badé is still recovering from a thigh injury and will miss the game. Tim Oermann could feature in defense alongside Robert Andrich and Jarell Quansah, as Edmond Tapsoba is suspended.
Predicted Line-ups for Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen:
Heidenheim:
Ramaj – Busch, P. Mainka, Gimber, Behrens – Schöppner, Dorsch – Kerber – Dinkçi, C. Conteh – Zivzivadze.
Bayer Leverkusen:
Flekken – Quansah, Andrich, Oermann, Grimaldo – E. Fernández, Aleix García – Maza, Poku – Terrier, Schick.
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