Bayer Leverkusen vs Heidenheim Prediction

Our Bayer Leverkusen vs Heidenheim prediction betting preview sets the scene in a league which was was dominated by the home side last season. So far in 2024/25, their title defence has stuttered due to too many draws. 

Heidenheim will travel to the BayArena hoping to rectify the loss they suffered before the international break at the hands of Wolfsburg. Xabi Alonso is currently navigating intense speculation that he will leave at the season’s end. The Spaniard will have to shut out the noise surrounding him and get his side back on track with a much-needed win on Saturday to try and close the gap to Bayern Munich.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Heidenheim Prediction

• Selection: Florian Wirtz Anytime Goalscorer 
• Odds: 2.60
• Stake: 7.5/10

Bayer Leverkusen are rightly favourites for this match-up at home. They aren’t the all-conquering side of last season. However, they’re still a very dangerous side. Heidneiheim will struggle to shut them out; they have conceded two or more goals on four occasions in the Bundesliga. It would be a surprise to see Wirtz not get involved if season trends continue here. The 21-year-old wonderkid is Bayer Leverkusen’s joint top scorer in all competitions. 

Florian Wirtz has been very productive in front of goal in 2024/25. In Germany’s massive 7-0 win over Bosnia, he was crucial with two goals and an assist. The first of his two strikes was even more evidence that he has all types of goals in his catalogue: the knuckleball free-kick wrong-footed the keeper, leaving him with no chance. 

Finding the net against Bosnia isn’t Wirtz’s first taste of beating the keeper this campaign. In all competitions, including internationals, the German technician has started 18 games and scored ten times. That is an impressive return, considering his main task when on the pitch is to create chances, not finish them.

Wirtz’s shots per 90 average in a Leverkusen shirt has seen an uptick from last season’s numbers. Wirtz takes 3.23 shots per90 while operating in the attacking midfield role behind the central striker. Alongside the goals, his overall play has been of an exceptionally high quality. The league leader for Shot Creating Actions is Wirtz with 65, who is also averaging the second-most per90 with seven. Last season, he proved that this is his standard performance level, and it appears there is no sign of him slowing down in both scoring or creating. Heidenheim will struggle to contain him, similar to the majority of his previous opponents. 

Heidenheim haven’t been imperious when defending; they are a team that can be easily exploited by a side like Alonso’s Leverkusen. The Baden-Württemberg side hasn’t been a disaster defensively, but the data suggests it’s a team with nothing to write home about. In their ten league games, they have conceded fifteen times and conceded six of these. UEFA Conference League outfit Heidenheim are averaging 12.80 shots per90 conceded in Germany, although a trip to Leverkusen should see them face much more, with Alonso’s side currently topping the league in the shots per90 stakes with 18.5.