Bayer Leverkusen
VfL Wolfsburg

Bayer Leverkusen vs VfL Wolfsburg Bundesliga Preview: Team News and Predicted Lineups

By
Moritz Baer
March 10, 2024
21:49
Odilon Kossounou. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo
Odilon Kossounou. Photo: Vitalii Vitleo

Bayer 04 face VfL Wolfsburg at the BayArena in the bid to extend Xabi Alonso's unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga and to remain clear of Bayern Munich in second.

Match Overview

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen are on an incredible run of 34 games unbeaten in all competitions since the start of the season under Xabi Alonso.

In midweek, Bayer 04 rescued their unbeaten streak through a late Patrick Schick goal against Qarabağ in the Europa League to make it 2-2.

Alejandro Grimaldo has been excellent this season for Xabi Alonso's side and has netted nine goals and created nine assists in the Bundesliga this campaign.

In the Bundesliga, Bayer have won by only one goal in two of their last four outings. However, during this period they have only conceded two goals.

Bayer Leverkusen have been a part of some heated battles recently, with each of their last two league games ending with their opponents only having ten men.

Ahead of the Wolfsburg game, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said: "We need good energy for Sunday and we have lots of fresh players for that. I say again and again, we need the whole squad!"

VfL Wolfsburg

Last time out in the Bundesliga, VfL Wolfsburg were unlucky to lose 3-2 to VfB Stuttgart as a late Lukas Nmecha goal was not enough for the Wolves to turn around the tie.

Currently in 13th place, Wolfsburg are five places lower than what they were at this stage last season. To add to this, they are ten points off track from where they were ahead of matchday 25 last campaign.

In spite of this, they are still well clear of the bottom three and are relatively comfortably safe as they are eight points away from Köln in 16th position.

This game could be crucial in terms of Niko Kovac's job, seeing as it has been reported that Wolfsburg are looking at potential candidates to replace him.

Wolfsburg lost narrowly last time in the Bundesliga against Alonso's side, a 2-1 win being enough on matchday 8 for Bayer 04 to win.

Team News

Bayer Leverkusen

Jeremie Frimpong is serving a yellow card suspension so will miss the game. Arthur will also miss the game due to a thigh injury and Victor Boniface is also out with a groin injury but is on-track to return in April.

VfL Wolfsburg

Joakim Maehle is out as he is serving a yellow card suspension. Jakub Kamiński is ill so will also be unavailable. Mattias Svanberg and Rogério are both doubts ahead of the late Sunday tie.

Predicted Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen

Hrádecký (c); Kossounou, Tah, Hincapié; Tella, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Wirtz; Schick

VfL Wolfsburg

Casteels; Baku, Lacroix, Jenz, Fischer; Gerhardt, Arnold (c); Majer, Wind, Paredes; Behrens

Match Result

March 10, 2024
6:30 pm
Bayer Leverkusen
0
:
0
VfL Wolfsburg
Bayer Leverkusen
VfL Wolfsburg
Bayer Leverkusen
Victor Boniface. Photo: Shutterstock / Vitalii Vitleo

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