The Wirsol Rhein-Neckar Arena is the place to be on Saturday afternoon when Hoffenheim host Bayer Leverkusen in a clash that pits together two of the Bundesliga's most exciting and attack-minded teams (kick-off 15:30 CET / 14:30 GMT).
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The hosts go into Matchday 19 in joint-seventh place, but are just a point behind their visitors in fifth. Julian Nagelsmann's side were held to a 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen last week, and, having lost only once at home all season - conceding just seven goals in the process - they will be confident of picking up a positive result against a direct rival for a top-four spot. However, they will have to do so without playmaker Kerem Demirbay, who is still suffering with a thigh strain, while Dennis Geiger (muscular) and Nadiem Amiri (foot) are rated doubtful.
The personnel situation is rather different for Leverkusen boss Heiko Herrlich, who has everyone available aside from Vladlen Yurchenko. Die Werkself were left disappointed with their showing in the 3-1 defeat at home to Bayern Munich last time out, but with in-form attackers Leon Bailey, Kevin Volland and Julian Brandt set to lead the charge once again on Saturday, they certainly have cause for optimism. Leverkusen are the third highest scorers in the division this season and average almost two goals per game away from home.
Watch: Leverkusen tasted defeat on home turf against Bayern last time out
Probable line-ups
Hoffenheim: Baumann - Bicakcic, Vogt (c), Hübner, - Kaderabek, Geiger, Grillitsch, Rupp Zuber - Gnabry, Uth
Absentees: Amiri (foot), Demirbay (thigh)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Leverkusen: Leno - Tah, S. Bender, Wendell - Bellarabi, L. Bender (c), Kohr, Bailey - Havertz, Volland, Brandt
Absentees: Yurchenko (foot)
Coach: Heiko Herrlich
Match stats
Hoffenheim failed to win for the seventh time this season after taking the lead last time out, the highest such return in the Bundesliga.After 132 games and 33 goals in Hoffenheim colours, Volland joined Leverkusen in summer 2016.Hoffenheim's first-ever Bundesliga defeat came at the hands of Leverkusen in August 2008. Their first-ever Bundesliga home win against Leverkusen came last season.Leverkusen have scored in every single one of the last 23 Bundesliga games and can equal a club record by finding the net in SinsheimAfter tasting defeat to Bayern Munich last time out, Bayer could begin a year with back-to-back defeats for the first time in 14 years.Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six on the road, their longest such run for seven years.
Source: bundesliga.com