Leverkusen Host St Pauli: Top Four Push vs. Survival Battle

Leverkusen vs. St. Pauli: A Bundesliga Clash of Contrasting Fortunes

The BayArena is set to host a compelling Bundesliga encounter this Saturday afternoon as Bayer Leverkusen welcomes St. Pauli. For Xabi Alonso's side, the match represents a crucial opportunity to bolster their ambitions of securing a coveted Champions League spot. Meanwhile, St. Pauli, buoyed by a recent resurgence, will be desperate to replicate their winning form and pull further away from the relegation zone.

Leverkusen's Champions League Charge Continues

Bayer Leverkusen have been in impressive recent form, accumulating seven points from their last three Bundesliga outings. Despite this strong run, they remain three points adrift of the top four, underscoring the significance of every fixture as they navigate the latter stages of the season. Manager Kasper Hjulmand will be looking to leverage his team's formidable home record, having won four of their last five matches at the BayArena, including four clean sheets. This dominance at home was recently demonstrated with a commanding 3-0 victory over St. Pauli in the DFB Pokal quarter-final just a fortnight ago. The club's CEO, Fernando Carro, has also been vocal about his long-term vision, aiming to close the gap on perennial champions Bayern Munich within the next three years, highlighting the club's ambitious trajectory.

St. Pauli's Fight for Survival

St. Pauli, on the other hand, have breathed new life into their survival hopes with a vital 2-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart last Saturday. This win marked their fourth of the season and, more importantly, ended a six-match winless streak in the league. While one win might seem modest, its impact on the team's morale and league position is substantial, as they now sit just two points from safety. However, their away form presents a significant challenge, boasting one of the worst records in the competition with only one win from eleven games. Furthermore, their recent history against Leverkusen is not encouraging, having lost five of their last six meetings, including the aforementioned cup defeat.

Team News and Potential Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen appear to be strengthening their squad for the future with the acquisition of 17-year-old striker Aleksa Damjanovic from Red Star Belgrade for €5 million. The towering teenager will join the team once the current season concludes. In terms of immediate concerns, Eliesse Ben Seghir is expected to be sidelined due to an ankle injury. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has been absent since January with a knee problem, meaning Janis Blaswich will continue to deputise. Nathan Tella is also out with a foot issue, while Ibrahim Maza is a doubt as he recovers from a knee injury.

St. Pauli are also grappling with a lengthy injury list, which will deplete their options. Ricky-Jade Jones recently joined the growing list of absentees with an ankle injury that could keep him out for an extended period. Forward Connor Metcalfe has been sidelined since December and will remain unavailable. They will also be without David Nemeth (groin) and Andreas Hountondji (ankle).

Bayer Leverkusen Possible Starting Lineup:

Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Arthur, Palacios, Garcia, Grimaldo; Tillman, Poku; Schick

St. Pauli Possible Starting Lineup:

Vasilj; Dzwigala, Ando, Mets; Saliakas, Sands, Irvine, Pyrka; Sinani, Rasmussen; Kaars

Match Prediction: A Close Encounter Expected

While St. Pauli have shown commendable fighting spirit and a renewed sense of purpose, their away form and historical record against Bayer Leverkusen are significant concerns. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, are in strong home form and have a clear objective to secure Champions League qualification. Despite St. Pauli's potential to cause an upset, the momentum and home advantage likely favour Die Werkself.

We say: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 St. Pauli

The prediction leans towards a Bayer Leverkusen victory, though St. Pauli's recent uplift suggests they will put up a stern fight. The home side's superior quality and consistent performances at the BayArena are expected to be the deciding factors in what could be a hard-fought three points for Leverkusen.