Bayer Leverkusen vs Heidenheim Predicted XIs: Patrik Schick to start ahead of injured Victor Boniface
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen will be without Victor Boniface for the remainder of 2024 after the Nigerian picked up a thigh injury while on international duty, meaning that Patrik Schick – who scored against Bochum – will lead Die Werkself’s attack.
Florian Wirtz and Jonas Hofmann should make up Bayer’s three-man attack alongside the Czech, but the returning Martin Terrier could be an alternative for the latter. With Nordi Mukiele recovering from an injury picked up against Stuttgart at the start of the month, Jeremie Frimpong will continue to play at right-wing-back.
Alonso continues to be without Amine Adli, who is expected to be sidelined until at least January with a broken fibula.
Defensively, if Edmond Tapsoba is unfit after picking up an injury while on international duty then Robert Andrich could move into Bayer’s back three alongside Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie.
As for the visiting Heidenheim, Frank Schmidt has a full strength squad available, but Benedikt Gimber and Marvin Pieringer risk a suspension should they accumulate their fifth yellow card of the season this weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Heidenheim Predicted XIs
Bayer Leverkusen: Lukáš Hrádecký – Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, Piero Hincapié – Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios, Granit Xhaka, Alex Grimaldo – Jonas Hofmann, Florian Wirtz – Patrik Schick
Heidenheim: Kevin Muller – Omar Traoré, Patrick Mainka, Benedikt Gimber, Jonas Föhrenbach – Niklas Dorsch, Lennard Maloney – Léo Scienza, Paul Wanner, Mathias Honsak – Marvin Pieringer
