German Bundesliga Soccer - Hertha Berlin vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 6/20/20 - Preview, Prediction & Odds

Still battling for a top-four finish in the Bundesliga, 4th-placed Bayer Leverkusen pays a visit to Germany’s capital, with 11th-placed Hertha Berlin hosting Die Werkself on the back of three consecutive defeats. Kick-off - at 9:30 AM ET on Saturday, June 20.

Hertha Berlin Lose Third Straight

Hertha Berlin lost for the third consecutive time after being edged out with a count of 2-1 by Freiburg away at Schwarzwald-Stadion on Tuesday. The hosts opened the scoring with a direct free-kick in the second-half after Dodi Lukebakio’s goal was canceled out by VAR moments earlier, only for Vedad Ibisevic to tie the proceedings at 1-1 from the penalty spot in the 66th minute, with Freiburg, eventually banking the winner five minutes later. The Oldy Lady had gone unbeaten for six straight games prior to the current skid (W3 D3) and sits 11th in the Bundesliga (W10 D8 L14), completely safe from relegation.

Having buried six goals each and sharing seven assists between them, Dodi Lukebakio and Vedad Ibisevic lead Hertha Berlin in scoring. Goalie Rune Jarstein, meanwhile, sits 3rd in the league’s keeper chart with 103 saves this season. He has posted eight clean sheets in 28 appearances this year and allows a goal every 53 minutes on average. The Old Lady has banked the 8th highest number of goals during the ongoing campaign (45) while taking the absolute lowest amount of shots per game (10.7). The team is 14th in ball possession (46.8%) and 10th in passing accuracy (77.6%).

Bayer Close In On Top-Four

Bayer Leverkusen’s ambition to play in the Champions League next season remained on track, as the team banked a 3-1 home victory against Cologne at BayArena on Wednesday. Sven Bender and Kai Havertz scored in the opening frame before Moussa Diaby made it 3-1 with seven minutes remaining after the visitors got a goal back just before the hour mark. Having picked up a W18 D6 L8 record so far this season, Die Werkself sit 4th in the Bundesliga, one point ahead of 5th-placed Borussia Monchengladbach with two games remaining.

Having scored seven times in his last seven Bundesliga appearances, Kai Havertz leads Bayer Leverkusen with 12 league markers. Goalie Lukas Hradecky, meanwhile, resides 6th in Germany’s top tier with 95 saves. He has picked up nine clean sheets in 32 games this year and concedes a goal every 69 minutes of play. Die Werkself have netted the 5th highest quantity of goals this season (60), while delivering the 4th highest amount of shots per game (14.7). The team is 2nd in ball possession (59.9%) and 3rd in passing accuracy (84.9%).

Prediction

With five victories in their previous eight head-to-head encounters (W5 L3), Bayer Leverkusen has been the driving force in this series and is set for another positive result against Hertha Berlin, who has dropped their very last three decisions. Die Werkself have been excellent on the road this season (W10 D2 L4), having gone unbeaten on their last six travels (W4 D2). They have also got much more motivation to succeed in this fixture, with a place in the top-four pretty much on the line in the team’s last two games of the season.

Best bet:

Bayern Leverkusen to win (-155)

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Valdis Pans

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