Wolfsburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Both teams to score or a win for the away team

The Bundesliga is back in action this weekend with another set of games with Volkswagen Arena the venue when Wolfsburg and an excellent Bayer Leverkusen team square off on Sunday 16th April 2023. In the Bundesliga rankings, Bayer Leverkusen is currently in sixth place and has had a respectable year thus far. Last week, the away team easily defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1, and they'll want a similar result this time around. Wolfsburg on the other hand has struggled this year and is now in ninth position in the league rankings. 

The hosts must win this weekend after losing to Borussia Monchengladbach by a score of 2-0 in their previous match. This is easier said than done. The form of Leverkusen makes the away side the favorite but with the quarter-final on the horizon, it is unclear what Alonso will prioritize. However, a win for the away team is expected with goal from both teams expected. 

Just his first season in charge of Wolfsburg, Niko Kovac has clearly led Wolfsburg forwards in his first season in command, with the former Wolves manager appearing well-placed to finish in the top half of the Bundesliga after earning only five points from his first seven matches in charge. With the team consistently battling for Champions League qualification spots over the previous decade, this may not seem like much. The team though finished 12th on the league table last season. A European qualifying berth is still within sight for them, which provides extra motivation.

Given their next opponents' recent hot performance, the Croatian international will be eager to test himself against Xabi Alonso and Leverkusen. A win would also bring them to within one point of their opponent in the standings.

Due to long-term ailments, Wolfsburg will continue to be without Bartol Franjic and top striker Lukas Nmecha. 

Wolfsburg's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Casteels; 

Defenders: Fischer, Lacroix, Van De Ven, Otavio; 

Midfielders: Svanberg, Arnold, Gerhardt; 

Strikers: Wimmer, Wind, Kaminski

An amazing run of five victories for Bayer Leverkusen enabled Alonso's team to clearly re-enter the European qualifying equation, with RB Leipzig only five points ahead of them in the fourth and final Champions League berth. Considering the fact that Bayer Leverkusen had only taken five points from their first eight matches before the arrival of Xavi Alonso in early October, all parties will be relieved that the team has risen so far in recent months.

Bayer Leverkusen is also a contender to win the Europa League for only the second time in the club's history, despite drawing 1-1 at home against Belgian side Union SG on Thursday evening, despite remaining favorites to progress to the last four ahead of their trip to Saint-Gilloise next week.

As a result, the former Real Madrid midfielder will have to weigh how important Sunday's trip to Lower Saxony is for his players, given that finishing inside the top four remains a long shot with only seven league games remaining, but he will not want to see his side's remarkable winning streak end lightly.

The groin injury sustained by Patrik Schick will keep him out of the game. Palacios and Lunev are also unavailable with muscle and back injuries, respectively. With the quarter-final of the Europa League just on the horizon, some changes can be expected. 

Bayer Leverkusen's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Hradecky; 

Defender: Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; 

Midfielder: Frimpong, Andrich, Demirbay, Hincapie; 

Strikers: Diaby, Azmoun, Hlozek

Both clubs can be happy with how far they have come under their new managers this season, and we anticipate a hard-fought clash between two well-coached sides. With European qualifying still up for grabs, neither team will want to lose, and it would not be surprising if the game ends with a sharing of the spoils.

However, Wolfsburg does not have a good home record against Bayer Leverkusen and will need to improve before this match. Bayer Leverkusen is the better team right now and this gives the away team the upper hand in this fixture. 

Goals are expected from both teams but we anticipate a win for the away side. Potential scoreline includes 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, or 1-1. 

Below are the expert's bets to consider. 

• W2 for 2.525 odds (1xBet);
• BTTS for 1.56 odds (Coinplay);
• Over 2.5 goals for 1.66 odds (Bet365);