Bayer Leverkusen vs Heidenheim prediction: GERMANY: Bundesliga betting tips on match 2024-11-22 14:30.
[p]The international break would’ve been welcomed by Bayer Leverkusen, who failed to win any of their three games prior to the hiatus (D2, L1), culminating in a 1-1 draw with Bochum. Leverkusen led for more than 70 minutes in that match before conceding an 89th minute equaliser, which took their tally of points dropped having taken the lead to a mammoth 11 this season (D4, L1), something that didn’t happen at all last campaign (W28)![/p]
[p]Comparing to the achievements of last term’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign may be unrealistic, but manager Xabi Alonso will still be disappointed they’ve already dropped points in as many games this time round (D5, L1) as they did last (D6). That’s culminated in them enduring the worst start by a defending champion for over a decade with 17 points from their ten games, and since only eight teams in history have won the title after securing 17 or less points at this stage of the season, history suggests they’ll struggle to retain their crown. [/p]
[p]The reigning champions’ struggles will serve as encouragement for Heidenheim, who will be desperate for some points after losing four of their last five league matches (D1). Going a sixth Bundesliga match without victory here would equal their longest winless streak in their short top-flight history, something they can ill afford seeing as sit just two points above the bottom-three.[/p]
[p]Frank Schmidt’s men have certainly shown they can hold their own on their travels, troubling many teams across competitions by losing just five of their last 20 away matches (W9, D6). No such success was had when they faced Leverkusen last season, as they lost both league matches in what was the first pair of league encounters between the two sides. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Victor Boniface enjoyed himself in this fixture last season having netted a brace after opening the scoring, as he’s done in three of his last four scoring club appearances. Hoping to fire Heidenheim to an upset will be Marvin Pieringer, who is fresh from scoring last time out against Wolfsburg, and will fancy another here since his three goals prior to that all came away from home. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: A league-high nine of Leverkusens ten Bundesliga games this season saw both teams score. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]