Hoffenheim's press meets a Leverkusen side with more than one way out. The opening exchanges should feature high recoveries and quick forward passes. The later exchanges may depend on which side can keep finding a second box contact.
Hoffenheim used central pressure against Lyon, with Prass and Kramarić feeding attacks after regains. Leverkusen can answer through García and Fernández into Maza and Schick, or release Diaby and Moreira wide. Schick and Maza combined for goals at Freiburg and kept their link active after an early concession.
Hoffenheim's Conté is doubtful after playing much of the Lyon match, while Kramarić, Prass and Avdullahu played full minutes. Leverkusen's listed absentees did not feature at OFI, and Schick, Maza, Diaby and Tapsoba had their minutes managed there. I expect Leverkusen's outlets to outlast the first pressing wave and produce repeated clean contact. That's why I'm siding with Bayer Leverkusen to win.
