Wolfsburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen | Bundesliga | Pre Match

Bayer Leverkusen will hope to avoid falling further behind in the Bundesliga title race when they travel to Volkswagen Arena on Saturday to play Wolfsburg.

The Wolves are 10th with 29 points and held Eintracht Frankfurt to a 1-1 stalemate on February 2, whereas the visiting champions are second with 45 points but trail Bayern Munich by six points despite beating Hoffenheim 3-1 on Sunday.

Wolfsburg's tally of 1.17 xG was matched by Eintracht Frankfurt, as were their three big chances created, though they did come under significant pressure in the second half given they faced all three big chances after the interval. Though the hosts are in 10th place, they are only four points from fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who currently reside in the last of four Champions League qualification spots.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have been one of the most entertaining clubs in the division, with the team having scored 10 and conceded seven in their last four games. The Wolves have failed to win their past three – drawing two and losing one – though they did win seven of their prior nine. Wolfsburg's home form in recent weeks has been exceptional given they have triumphed in five, drawn two and lost just one of their last eight at Volkswagen Arena.

As for Leverkusen, while they created less xG than Hoffenheim, many of Die Kraichgauer's chances came after Alejandro Grimaldo's dismissal in the 61st minute when the champions were already winning 3-0. Xabi Alonso's side also advanced to the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday after beating FC Koln 3-2, though the victory was hard fought given they trailed the 2. Bundesliga club 2-0 by the 54th minute.

Leverkusen defeated Wolfsburg 4-3 on September 22 in the Bundesliga, a game in which Victor Boniface scored a 93rd-minute winner to claim all three points. Die Schwarzroten were last prevented from scoring by Liverpool in the Champions League on November 5, a period of 17 games. Alonso's team have emerged victorious in their past three fixtures and have in fact won 14 of their last 16 in all competitions. The visitors boast a formidable record on the road given they are unbeaten in 26 away outings in the league, with the club winning 19 of those matches.

Hasenhuttl's ranks are somewhat depleted considering they will have to contend with the absence of defender Rogerio, as well as goalkeepers Kamil Grabara and Niklas Klinger. Marius Muller is likely to start between the posts behind a back four of Kilian Fischer, Denis Vavro, Konstantinos Koulierakis and Joakim Maehle. Attackers Bartosz Bialek, Kevin Paredes and Lovro Majer are also unavailable, so perhaps Tiago Tomas, Jonas Wind and Mohamed El Amine Amoura will be chosen to play in a front three.

Opponents Leverkusen could line up with Aleix Garcia on the left of a back five in place of Grimaldo, though defender Jeanuel Belocian will miss out on action until September. Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie are probable candidates to be stationed as centre-backs behind a double pivot of Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich. Florian Wirtz and Nathan Tella are likely to play in supportive roles behind striker Boniface, but Martin Terrier has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

With both teams striving for crucial points, this fixture is poised to be an intriguing contest. Wolfsburg will be determined to take advantage of their strong home form to edge closer to the top four, while Leverkusen will be eager to maintain pressure on Bayern Munich in the title race. The tactical battle between Hasenhuttl and Alonso could be a key factor in determining the outcome, with both managers known for their strategic approaches to the game.

Leverkusen's ability to control possession and transition quickly through midfield, led by Xhaka and Andrich, will be crucial. Meanwhile, Wolfsburg's pressing game and attacking width could test the visitors' defensive stability. The hosts will hope to capitalize on any fatigue within the Leverkusen squad following their midweek DFB-Pokal exertions.

With Boniface leading the attack and Wirtz providing creative spark, Leverkusen will rely on their attacking fluency to break down a Wolfsburg defense that has struggled with injuries. Conversely, Wolfsburg's Jonas Wind, a proven goal scorer, will look to exploit any vulnerabilities in the Leverkusen backline. It remains to be seen whether Hasenhuttl's men can put together a disciplined defensive display to contain one of the league's most potent offenses.

As the match approaches, both teams will be mindful of their respective ambitions. For Wolfsburg, a victory could see them make significant strides towards European qualification. For Leverkusen, dropping points could further dent their title aspirations, making this encounter a high-stakes clash for both sides. Regardless of the result, fans can expect a highly competitive and intense battle at the Volkswagen Arena.