Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-02-16 14:30.
Few Heidenheim fans could have dreamed that their side would adapt to the rigours of top-flight football quite as well as they have. After overcoming Werder Bremen last week (2-1), Frank Schmidt’s men begin the round in the top half and are unbeaten in eight league matches (W4, D4), with only league leaders and upcoming opponents Bayer Leverkusen on a longer such run.
The hosts will be out for revenge here after losing the reverse fixture 4-1 back in September, and may take heart from the fact they won the only previous H2H on this ground back in 2019. The Voith-Arena is proving to be a stronghold for Heidenheim this season, as since losing 5-2 there to Augsburg in October, they have avoided defeat in six subsequent home matches (W3, D3), conceding just five times in that period.
The Bundesliga’s best are in town this weekend, with Bayer Leverkusen sitting five points clear at the summit after sweeping defending champions Bayern Munich aside last week (3-0). Their boss Xabi Alonso is thrilled that his side’s “level gets better every time”, and with all three trophies still up for grabs, Die Werkself may need to continue improving if they’re to write themselves into the history books.
They have an opportunity to do so here, and another game without defeat would make it 32 unbeaten across all competitions to start the season – equalling Bayern’s all-time German record. As they’re the only team in the division to score in all of their away league games this season, as well as the side with the fewest goals conceded across the season, one would be brave to go against them here.
Players to watch: Heidenheim winger Jan-Niklas Beste has directly contributed to 17 goals in his 20 appearances this season, including two in last week’s victory over Bremen (G1, A1) and one in the reverse fixture (A1). Nathan Tella has forced his way into the Leverkusen side, largely thanks to scoring three times across their last two away matches.
Hot stat: Leverkusen have scored in both halves in a league-high 16 of their 21 Bundesliga games.