Bayer Leverkusen vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: Leverkusen aim for positive start to Erik ten Hag era

Last season’s Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen are entering a new era under Erik ten Hag, and they take on Hoffenheim at the BayArena to open their 2025/26 campaign.

Bayer Leverkusen

It has been a summer of change at the BayArena. Meisterschale-winning manager Xabi Alonso left the club to join Real Madrid at the end of last season, while key players Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and Granit Xhaka have all left the club.

Ex-Ajax and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has taken the reins at the club, ahead of what is set to be a largely transitional year for Die Werkself. 

Leverkusen got off to a fantastic domestic start last weekend, beating Sonnenhof Großaspach by four goals to nil in the opening round of the DFB-Pokal.

Dutchman Ten Hag will hope that his side are able to carry over their form against a Hoffenheim side that really struggled in the Bundesliga last term.

Team News

Jeanuel Belocian will remain out for Leverkusen after suffering a Cruciate ligament tear earlier this year, while summer arrival Malik Tillman is a doubt due to a calf injury. Otherwise, Ten Hag has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Predicted lineup – 3-4-2-1: Flekken – Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie – Poku, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo – Maza, Tella – Schick.

TSG Hoffenheim 

Die Kreichgauer struggled massively in the Bundesliga last term, under both Pellegrino Matarazzo and Christian Ilzer, who took over in Sinsheim for the second half of the campaign.

Finishing three points ahead of Heidenheim, who finished in the relegation play-off place, Ilzer’s side were able to secure safety with a 15th-place finish, and are looking to leave what was a dismal domestic season in the past. 

Hoffenheim have added six players over the transfer window, including midfielder Leon Avdullahu from Basel as a result of Anton Stach’s move to Leeds.

Fisnik Asslani and Muhammed Damar have both returned from impressive loan spells at 2. Bundesliga side Elversberg, with the former expected to start at the BayArena this weekend. 

Team News

Ex-Leverkusen forward Adam Hlozek will miss an extended period until Christmas due to a broken ankle, while Ozan Kabak remains out until early September due to a Cruciate ligament injury.

Predicted lineup – 4-2-2-2: Baumann – Coufal, Chaves, Machida, Bernardo – Burger, Avdullahu – Kramaric, Toure – Asslani, Lemperle