Erik ten Hag will be aiming to win his first Bundesliga game in charge of Bayer Leverkusen vs TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Bayer Leverkusen open their Bundesliga campaign at the BayArena on Saturday, welcoming TSG Hoffenheim in what will be Erik ten Hag’s first league match in charge of Die Werkself. Last season saw Leverkusen dethroned by Bayern Munich after their historic title triumph in 2023/24, while Hoffenheim endured a difficult campaign, only narrowly avoiding a relegation playoff.

Although finishing second with 61 points was far from disastrous, it represented a significant step back from their title-winning tally of 82 the previous year. With Xabi Alonso departing for Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen now turn to Erik ten Hag, who returns to management after leaving Manchester United in late 2024. Supporters will be eager to see if he can maintain the high standards established under Alonso or whether regression will follow.

Leverkusen started the 2025/26 season on a positive note, dispatching Sonnenhof Großaspach 4-0 in the DFB-Pokal earlier this month. Their attacking form remains encouraging, with the side scoring at least twice in each of their last five competitive matches. Defensive frailties, however, are a concern. They conceded eight goals in their final three league fixtures of of the 2024/25 season and managed only three clean sheets in their 14 most recent Bundesliga outings.

Consistency was also an issue down the stretch, with just two wins in their last seven competitive games (excluding friendlies). Even at BayArena, where Leverkusen enjoyed a ten-match winning streak between November and February, their home form slipped in the closing stages of 2024/25, winning two, drawing one, and losing one in their last four matches. Ten Hag will be expected to restore that fortress-like atmosphere.

For Hoffenheim, the 2024/25 campaign was one to forget. They finished 15th with just 32 points, only three clear of the relegation playoff place. Their biggest weakness was at the back, as they conceded 68 goals across the season, second worst in the Bundesliga. Improvement in defensive organisation will be vital if Christian Ilzer’s men are to climb the table this year.

Recent history offers little encouragement. Hoffenheim have lost their last five encounters with Leverkusen, often failing to compete with Die Werkself’s attacking quality. Still, they enjoyed a confidence boost in the DFB-Pokal with a 4-0 win over Hansa Rostock, snapping a run of five competitive matches without victory.

However, their away record remains shaky, with three defeats in their last six games on the road and just one win in that sequence, the cup tie against Rostock. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen come into the new Bundesliga season with some significant changes to their squad. Stalwarts Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz have left for Liverpool. Jonathan Tah has departed for Bayern Munich, leaving a gap at the heart of the defence, though the club moved swiftly to sign Jarell Quansah from Liverpool as a replacement.

In midfield, Granit Xhaka’s surprise transfer to Sunderland has forced Erik ten Hag to reorganise his options, with Robert Andrich and Aleix Garcia expected to anchor the centre of the park. Up front, Victor Boniface is on the verge of joining AC Milan, meaning Patrik Schick will take on the responsibility of leading the line as the most senior striker available.

Fortunately for Erik ten Hag, there are no fresh injury or suspension concerns heading into this clash, allowing him to deploy a strong starting eleven despite the high-profile exits.

Bayer Leverkusen are expected to set up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Mark Flekken will start in goal, protected by a back three of Edmond Tapsoba, Jarell Quansah, and Piero Hincapie. The wing-back roles will be occupied by Ernest Poku on the right and Alejandro Grimaldo on the left, offering both width and attacking thrust.

In midfield, Robert Andrich and Aleix Garcia will operate as the double pivot, tasked with maintaining balance between defence and attack. Just ahead of them, Ibrahim Maza and Nathan Tella will support the attack from advanced positions, while Patrik Schick will spearhead the forward line as the central striker.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie; Poku, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo; Tella, Maza; Schick

TSG Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim will be without forward Gift Orban, who has been ruled out with a foot injury. His absence removes one of Christian Ilzer’s key attacking options and is expected to hand Tim Lemperle a starting opportunity in the number nine role. In defence, Ozan Kabak remains sidelined after missing much of last season with recurring injuries.

The Turkish international is not due back until next month, forcing Hoffenheim to continue without one of their most reliable central defenders. Fortunately, there are no further major injury or suspension concerns for the visitors.

In midfield, new signing Leon Avdullahu, who arrived from FC Basel over the summer, is expected to make his Bundesliga debut. He will likely be paired with Wouter Burger in the middle of the park, tasked with providing balance between defensive cover and progression of play. On the wings, Vladimir Coufal and Bazoumana Toure should occupy the wing-back roles, offering width both in possession and defensively.

At the back, Robin Hranac, Koki Machida, and Bernardo are set to form a three-man defensive line, protecting experienced goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who continues to serve as the side’s reliable figure between the posts. Further forward, Andrej Kramaric and Fisnik Asllani are expected to operate as the attacking midfield duo behind Lemperle, providing creativity and goal threat.

Hoffenheim are likely to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation. Oliver Baumann will start in goal, with Robin Hranac, Koki Machida, and Bernardo forming the defensive trio ahead of him. Vladimir Coufal and Bazoumana Toure will take up the wide roles as wing-backs, while Leon Avdullahu and Wouter Burger should partner in central midfield. In attack, Andrej Kramaric and Fisnik Asllani will operate just behind Tim Lemperle, who will lead the line as the lone striker in place of the injured Gift Orban.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Baumann; Hranac, Machida, Bernardo; Coufal, Avdullahu, Burger, Toure; Kramaric, Asllani; Lemperle

Key Stats

• Bayer Leverkusen have won their last five Bundesliga matches against TSG Hoffenheim. It is their longest current winning streak against any side in the top flight, equalled only by their five consecutive wins against Eintracht Frankfurt.

• Leverkusen have finished in the top two of the Bundesliga in each of the last two seasons (1st in 2023/24, 2nd in 2024/25). This is only the second time in their history they have achieved back-to-back top-two finishes, the last being in 1998/99 and 1999/2000.

• Hoffenheim’s 15th-place finish in 2024/25 was their lowest in nine years and their second-worst Bundesliga campaign ever, collecting only 32 points, just one more than their lowest tally of 31 in 2012/13.

• Leverkusen are winless in their last three Bundesliga matches (two draws, one defeat), while Hoffenheim are winless in five (two draws, three defeats). Only Borussia Mönchengladbach currently have a longer winless streak in the Bundesliga.

• Leverkusen have won their opening Bundesliga fixture in each of the last two seasons. If they beat Hoffenheim on Saturday, they will make it three consecutive opening-day wins for the first time since 2013-2015. Notably, their last opening-day meeting with Hoffenheim was in 2015/16, which Leverkusen won 2-1 at the BayArena.

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Patrik Schick

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With Victor Boniface set to depart for AC Milan, the responsibility of leading Bayer Leverkusen’s attack falls firmly on the shoulders of Patrik Schick. The Czech international has endured his share of injuries in recent seasons, but when fit, he remains one of the most clinical finishers in the Bundesliga. Schick’s aerial ability, intelligent movement, and instinctive finishing inside the box give him the tools to trouble any defence, particularly one as fragile as Hoffenheim’s.

For new manager Erik ten Hag, Schick’s presence provides both a target man and a focal point around which the attack can revolve. Supported by pace and creativity from wide players such as Nathan Tella and Ibrahim Maza, Schick is expected to be the key figure in breaking down Hoffenheim’s defensive structure.

Against an opponent that conceded 68 goals in the league last season, the second-worst defensive record in the Bundesliga, Schick will have the perfect opportunity to make a statement at the start of this campaign. If Leverkusen are to begin strongly and mount another title challenge, their striker’s form will be pivotal, starting with Saturday’s clash at BayArena.

Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 TSG Hoffenheim

Bayer Leverkusen remain the heavy favourites heading into this encounter. Their attacking strength, home advantage, and superior quality across the pitch put them in a strong position, even if defensive questions persist.

Hoffenheim will look to stay compact and frustrate, but their poor record against Bayer Leverkusen and leaky defence suggest they could struggle to contain the hosts for long. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 victory for Erik ten Hag and his charges.