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Kick-off: Saturday, 13 February @14:30 GMT
Venue: Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor (Darmstadt)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
Bayer Leverkusen vs Darmstadt 0-1 (2015/2016 Bundesliga)
Darmstadt vs Bayer Leverkusen 1-3 (1981/1982 Bundesliga)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Darmstadt 3-2 (1981/1982 Bundesliga)
Darmstadt vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to get their revenge on Darmstadt for a 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture when the two teams square off against each other Merck-Stadion am Bollenfalltor on Saturday afternoon. Roger Schmidt’s men head into the match following a 3-1 loss to Werder Bremen in the DFB Pokal and they are desperate to return to winning ways.
Bundesliga survival – main goal
Darmstadt have been having their ups and downs in 2016. Die Lillien recorded a 2-1 victory over Hannover in the relegation six-pointer in their first game of the new year, but Schalke proved to be a big catch for the newcomers. Dirk Schuster’s troops, though, returned to winning ways at the weekend, with the team beating rock-bottom Hoffenheim on the road. Their fresh confidence will be tested against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, but the match against the star-studded team will be anything but a walk in the park for the hosts. Darmstadt’s main goal remains unchanged; they aim to secure the top flight survival, but considering that they are just five points clear of the relegation zone, Saturday’s clash against Roger Schmidt’s men is of big importance for the hosts. Die Lillien face Bayern Munich at Allianz-Arena on Matchday 22, meaning that they will leave their hearts on the field in order to grab something from the Bayer Leverkusen match.
The likes of Platins, Wembacher, Finger, Kazimi and Volk have all been left out of the squad. Kempe should recover in time to face Bayer Leverkusen.
Upsetting loss in German Cup
Bayer Leverkusen did remarkably well to hold Bayern Munich to a goalless draw at the weekend, but they suffered an upsetting 3-1 loss to Werder Bremen in the German Cup last 16. Roger Schmidt’s experienced all sorts of problems at the back in the DFB Pokal clash and, on the other hand, attacker Javier Hernandez Chicharito was sorely missed. The Mexican forward is unlikely to recover in time to face Darmstadt and in his absence Stefan Kiessling, who has netted four goals in the 2015/2016 Bundesliga campaign to date, is going to lead the attack for the visitors against the newcomers. Bayer Leverkusen are eyeing a place in the Champions League and a win over Darmstadt should see them climb to top four in the Bundesliga standings. Roger Schmidt’s men are eyeing their fifth away win of the season and you should bear in mind that they have defeated the likes of Hannover, Werder Bremen, Eintracht Frankfurt and Ingolstadt on the road to date.
Lars Bender, Javier Hernandez and Charles Aranguiz are all sidelined with injury, but coach Roger Schmidt has no other injury worries ahead of the trip to Darmstadt.
Quick Facts
- Darmstadt failed to score in previous three home games in Bundesliga
- Die Lillien recorded their last win on home soil on 22 September (Werder Bremen)
- Bayer Leverkusen scored 1+ goals in each of their last five away games in the league
- Roger Schmidt’s team are eyeing their third consecutive clean sheet in Bundesliga
- Bayer are after their fifth away win of the season
Darmstadt vs Bayer Leverkusen betting tip
Bayer Leverkusen are eager to bounce back from the DFB Pokal defeat to Werder Bremen and I am positive that the visitors will go for a win in Saturday’s match against Darmstadt. Javier Hernandez Chicharito has yet to overcome his injury, but Roger Schmidt has a number of high-profile players to choose from and I believe that the BayArena outfit are capable of getting their revenge on die Lillien for the 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture.
Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win
Odds: 1.75 (3/4) @Pinnacle
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