Bayer Leverkusen vs. VfL Wolfsburg: Preview, TV schedule

It hasn’t been a great start to the Rückrunde for Bayer Leverkusen. The Werkself drew against Borussia Dortmund at home, eked out a win against Hertha BSC and lost to Werder Bremen. After earning just four points from teams that went into the winter break around the relegation zone, Roger Schmidt’s side has slipped from third to sixth, although they are just two points behind third-place Schalke 04.

Wolfsburg, on the other hand, shocked the world with a stunning 4-1 victory over the seemingly invincible Bayern Munich to start the second half of the season. A one-all draw against Eintracht Frankfurt was a missed opportunity to make up two more points on the Bavarians, but adding André Schürrle should ensure that Dieter Hecking’s men finish the season in second.

This match is key for Leverkusen. Win it, and they’re back in the driver’s seat for the Champions League places. A loss means just one win in four, and it doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Augsburg next week. Both teams might be okay with a draw, as the gap between second and third is almost as large as that between first and second. Wolfsburg dominated the first meeting between these teams 4-1, so Leverkusen could be out for revenge.

If Bayer want to take the points here, they will need their striker to perform. They’ve scored just five goals in their last seven league matches, well below the 1.92 goals averaged in their first 13 Bundesliga games this season. Stefan Kießling will probably get the nod, but maybe it’s time for Schmidt to get Josip Drmić the opportunity to lead the line in hopes of changing it up. Having Heung-Min Son back from the Asian Cup is a big boost, as he has been missed in attacking midfield.

Die Wölfe will be hoping to keep the momentum going. Kevin De Bruyne has been on fire, with five goals and an assist since the Bundesliga returned from the Winterpause. Leverkusen will have to be at their best defensively in order to stop him and his new partner in crime Schürrle, who assisted two in the 3-0 win over Hoffenheim. It appears that the defensive midfield crisis has been solved, with Max Arnold holding down the spot alongside Luiz Gustavo.

Bayer Leverkusen injuries and suspensions

Out: Tin Jedvaj (thigh), Robbie Kruse (ankle).

VfL Wolfsburg injuries and suspensions

Out: Xizhe Zhang (fever), Felipe (stroke), Ivan Perišić (back).

Jedvaj started at right back for the majority of the first half of the season for Bayer, but hasn’t yet returned to the lineup after sustaining an injury during winter training camp. Kruse is unlikely to return this season after picking up an ankle injury last week. Perišić is the only real worry for Wolfsburg, as Zhang and Felipe haven’t featured this season. However, with Schürrle’s arrival they have plenty of options in attacking midfield.

Projected lineups

Bayer Leverkusen: Bernd Leno, Roberto Hilbert, Ömer Toprak, Emir Spahić, Wendell, Lars Bender, Simon Rolfes, Karim Bellarabi, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Heung-Min Son, Stefan Kießling.

VfL Wolfsburg: Diego Benaglio, Vieirinha, Naldo, Robin Knoche, Ricardo Rodriguez, Maximilian Arnold, Luiz Gustavo, Daniel Caligiuri, Kevin De Bruyne, André Schürrle, Bas Dost.

Match Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 14, 3:30 p.m. local, 9:30 a.m. ET

Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany

TV: MyGermanTV + (as part of Konferenz) (U.S.), Sky Bundesliga 5/HD (Germany)

Online: Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)