Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Club football is back after the October international break

Wolfsburg have blown hot and cold so far this season, despite the best efforts of Jonas Wind. The Denmark striker has scored seven times across as many games, a haul that includes three braces. The Wolves have won all four matches involving a Wind goal, whilst losing three without. Those defeats have all come against teams above them in the current standings.

Leverkusen represent a sizeable obstacle, no matter who lines up on the opposing side at the Volkswagen Arena. The Bundesliga leaders have won six times so far this season, only dropping points in a 2-2 draw with defending champions Bayern Munich. many people are surprised to see Alonso's team performance this season and they will try to keep this good momentum in this match as well.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 21 Oct, 2023, 07:00 PM (IST), 01:30 PM (GMT), 09:30 AM (EST)

Form

Wolfsburg Form (All Competitions): L-W-L-W-L

Leverkusen Form (All Competitions): W-W-W-D-W

Players to Watch

Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg)

Standing 1.9 meters tall, Wind is a superb header of the ball, able to play with his back to goal and hold up the ball before passing it towards his onrushing teammates. Furthermore, his mobility and athleticism allow him to win loose balls and arrive in advanced positions to receive the ball. The Danish striker also boasts the technical efficiency to leave defenders in his dust, whilst he is also a willing runner who can help lead the press from the front. Perhaps the most impressive asset of his game is his physicality and positional intelligence, which enable him to win physical and aerial duels and regain possession in the final third.

Victor Boniface (Leverkusen)

An all-round centre forward who is skilled with both feet and who is blessed with clever movement, strong dribbling, and the ability to beat his marker with his blistering speed and acceleration, whilst his aerial ability is yet another weapon in his arsenal. A hard-working, technically gifted striker who is capable of pirouetting past players, holding off opponents and buying himself time before launching an inch-perfect shot his deft skill, pace, aerial prowess and powerful running with the ball makes him a complete striker.

Match Facts

• Bayer Leverkusen is first in the Bundesliga in goals scored with 23 in seven games, while VfL Wolfsburg ranks seventh in goals allowed with nine in seven games
• VfL Wolfsburg ranks fifth in shots faced with 31 across seven matches, and Bayer Leverkusen ranks second in the Bundesliga in shots taken with 110 over seven matches.
• VfL Wolfsburg scores 1.4 goals per game to rank 11th in the Bundesliga, while Bayer Leverkusen gives up 0.9 per match to rank second.

Injury and Team News

Wolfsburg will be missing some key players due to injury, Casteels (abdominals), Černý (ill), Fischer (knee), Nmecha (knee), and Rogério (calf). Already they are not able to perform as per their expectations and now they have been hit by an injury crisis.

Alonso will have a fit squad for this fixture only Arthur (thigh) will be out of this match, but he will also soon join the team after recovery.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 37

Wolfsburg: 14

Leverkusen: 15

Draws: 8

Predicted Lineup for Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen

Wolfsburg Predicterd Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Pervan, Baku, Lacroix, Zesiger, Maehle, Svanberg, Arnold, Majer, Gerhardt, Tomás, Wind

Leverkusen Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):

Hrádecký, Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba, Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo, Hofmann, Wirtz, Boniface

Match Prediction for Wolfsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen is a clear favourite here. They are having a great season and look very balanced in defence and attack. The same can’t be said of Wolfsburg, who have been shaky in their recent matches. Wolfsburg haven't beaten Bayer Leverkusen in the last three meetings and there isn’t much promise that this trend will break here. 

Prediction: Wolfsburg 0-1 Leverkusen

Telecast

India: Sony Sports Network

UK: Sky Sports

USA: ESPN

Nigeria: SportyTV