Highlights

0:17
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Watch: Xabi Alonso calms title talk

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Full-time: Hoffenheim 2-3 Leverkusen

The performance of champions-in-waiting? Leverkusen were almost untouchable in the first half and went 2-0 up thanks to two lovely goals from Wirtz and Grimaldo. But Hoffenheim burst into life after the restart and found themselves level through Stach and Weghorst. However, Alonso’s side had the final say when Grimaldo curled in his second to keep the Werkself unbeaten this season and five points clear of Bayern ahead of Der Klassiker this evening.
Full-time
90'
+ 4

Free-scoring Werkself

Leverkusen have maintained their record of scoring at least two goals in all 15 of their competitive fixtures in 2023/24. Their 30 Bundesliga goals is a new club record after 10 matchdays.
90'
+ 1

Added time

We'll have five extra minutes!
90'
+ 1

Substitution

90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
86'

Time ticking

Hoffenheim on the ball at the moment but no way through as yet. Leverkusen happy to sit and counter.
81'

Handball

Tah is penalised for handling while challenging for a bouncing ball and has his name taken.
79'

Attacking switch

No messing from Matarazzo as he sends on offensive reinforcements with Bebou and the returning Kramarić.
78'

Substitution

76'

Brilliant Boniface

He was shooting and scoring for fun at the start of the season, but the Nigerian is now also emerging as a top provider. He's got two assists today to go onto five for the campaign - only Leipzig's Xavi has more across the division (six).
72'

A game of 'out of nowhere'

There was no sign earlier of Hoffenheim coming back into this, but nor was there any indication that Leverkusen were about to strike back as well. Never assume anything in football.
72'

Time wasting

Hrádecký takes too much time over a goal-kick and is cautioned.
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Leverkusen lead again!

Boniface originally fluffed a header but he retains possession and recycles it, cutting back to Grimaldo in space on the edge of the box. The Spaniard takes a touch, has a look and then curls the ball beyond Baumann at his right-hand post.
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
5 %
Shot speed
information
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
76.21 km/h
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
17.26 m
68'

Shot count

All seven attempts since the restart have come from Hoffenheim.
Goal attempts
3off target
7on target
3off target
3on target
66'

All Hoffenheim

Leverkusen have just not got going this half and as it stands are at risk of losing after leading by two goals for the first time since a 5-2 defeat in Frankfurt in December 2021.
65'

Weghorst!

Huge opportunity to completely turn things around. Weghorst unmarked in the middle and leaping to meet a cross from the left, but somehow he only heads it onto the roof of the net. The goal was at his mercy there.
63'

Unusual

Only three of the eight goals Leverkusen had conceded before today had come from open play. That's now five from 10.
62'

The difference 15 minutes makes

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
Hoffenheim had an xG of zero at half time. And now all of a sudden they have two goals.
xGoals
2
1.31
0.9
2
Goals
58'

Weghorst levels!

What a couple of minutes for Hoffenheim and they're level. Beier goes for a curling effort from some 25 yards out. Hrádecký gets fingers to it to tip it onto the post, but Weghorst is there to mop up. All square in Sinsheim!
58'
Wout Weghorst
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
92 %
Shot speed
information
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
70.38 km/h
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
6.96 m
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Hoffenheim back in it!

From out of nowhere, the hosts have a lifeline. Hrádecký's pass from the back is loose and Stach intercepts, takes a touch and then clips it over the backtracking goalkeeper from 41 metres out.
56'

Anton Stach

GOAL!

1:2
Anton Stach
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
4 %
Shot speed
information
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
113.91 km/h
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
40.94 m
54'

Comes to nothing

A rare stray Leverkusen pass allows Hoffenheim to break out. Ball up to Skov, who cuts inside with Weghorst marked on the far side, and his shot is weak.
50'

Beier!

Good persistence from Beier as he sees an effort blocked at the near post but then battles for the second ball up against two defenders before poking wide of the far stick. Encouraging from Hoffenheim this half.
47'

Close for TSG

Weghorst onto a through ball into the box, sliding to turn it across goal, but it's just ahead of the lurking Beier.
46'

Back under way

Leverkusen resume the action having made a change at the back with Stanišić on for Kossounou.
Kick-off!
Half-time
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Half-time: Hoffenheim 0-2 Leverkusen

A commanding first-half display from the Bundesliga leaders, who are set to go five points clear at the summit as it stands. First Boniface and Wirtz combined, and then Hofmann with Grimaldo. Hoffenheim have had no answer yet.
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Grimaldo!

A goal straight off the training ground as Hofmann plays a low corner towards the edge of the box, where Grimaldo runs onto it unchallenged and curls it past everyone to double the visitors' advantage. Lovely goal.
45'
+ 1
Alejandro Grimaldo
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
5 %
Shot speed
information
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
84.37 km/h
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
15.71 m
43'

Bayer good value for the lead

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.0
0.8
1
Goals
39'

Some serious speed down that flank

Fastest runner (km/h)
35.42
35.08
Marius Bülter Jeremie Frimpong
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Centurion Palacios

It's 100 Leverkusen appearances for the Argentine World Cup winner.
36'

Frimpong!

And just like that, Leverkusen go up the other end with some electric Frimpong pace. Teammates are busting a gut to keep up and provide support, so the Dutchman goes it alone darting into the box but can only find the side netting.
35'

Promising

Hoffenheim look confident when on the ball, with patient play before springing into attack. This time a Bülter cross evades Beier.
33'

Tiki taka

One-touch stuff from Alonso's men as they work their way up the left again. Grimaldo goes for the cutback but Vogt reads it and puts it behind. Corner comes to nothing, though.
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
30'

Skov!

Hammer effort from the Dane but it's well over from outside the area.
29'

Impact of an early goal

information
Impact of an early goal
Leverkusen were already statistical favourites at kick-off, but that Wirtz goal really swung the odds further their way.
8'
50.7 %
9'
72.5 %
28'

Combining again

Once more it's Wirtz and Boniface with a blind understanding to work their way into the box. The striker tries to dink the ball into the middle, where Baumann gets a hand and eventually gathers the bouncing ball.
25'

Hofmann!

Similar to the opening goal, Leverkusen down the left with Grimaldo this time. Cutback is left by Boniface and Hofmann runs onto it, but the TSG youth product can't hit the target on his left foot.
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Florian flourishing

Wirtz now has three goals for this Bundesliga campaign and has scored in back-to-back league fixtures for the first time since February 2022.
19'

Short pause

Boniface is down after a challenge. He needs some quick treatment before we can continue.
18'

Almost for Weghorst

The Dutchman points where he wants the pass and sets off. Prömel sends it in behind but it's just a yard or two ahead of Weghorst.
12'

Bülter!

What an effort from some 30 yards, swerving this way and that and almost leaving Hrádecký stranded. He's at full stretch switching to his right to parry away.
10'

Boniface!

The Nigerian striker loves a shot and has a crack from 20 yards this time. A low effort that Baumann manages to hold down to his right.
9'

Devastating again from Wirtz and Leverkusen!

What a goal from the league leaders. Palacios on his 100th Werkself appearances feeds Wirtz wide on the left. He beats a man and slips in Boniface, who then turns his own marker and drives inside before simply laying the ball back into the path of Wirtz, who'd continued his run and taps beyond Baumann.
9'
Florian Wirtz
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
45 %
Shot speed
information
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
73.93 km/h
Distance to Goal
information
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
8.87 m
5'

Eyeing each other up

Hoffenheim are holding their shape in the opening stages, allowing Leverkusen to move it around far from goal. Every now and then Weghorst calls for a push and three blue shirts hound the Bayer backline.
1'

Underway!

Hoffenheim get things going but it's Leverkusen on the attack first as Boniface peels off to the right and flashes a cross into the box, just ahead of the arriving Wirtz.
Kick-off!

Teams in the tunnel

Kick-off is almost upon us in Sinsheim. Will Leverkusen extend their advantage at the top or will Hoffenheim inflicted a first defeat of the season?

TSG's need for change

Hoffenheim come into this weekend in an impressive sixth place, but it's their away form that has got them there. Five wins from five on the road is a huge achievement, but they have won only one of four here in Sinsheim, losing the other three. That form will likely need to change if Matarazzo's men are to be in the push for Europe come May.

"Next step in the marathon"

That was what Alonso spoke about at his press conference yesterday as Leverkusen look to continue their near-perfect start to this season and last the course to make history with a first-ever Bundesliga title come the end of the race. The Spaniard's team have been pretty much flawless all season, with 13 wins from 14 competitive fixtures. The one blot on the copy book was the 2-2 draw in Munich.

Hoffenheim team news

As for Pellegrino Matarazzo, he opts for three changes to the team beaten 1-0 in Dortmund in the cup on Wednesday. They see Ozan Kabak, Finn Becker and Robert Skov come on for John Brooks, Ihlas Bebou and Mergim Berisha, who all drop to the bench.

Leverkusen team news

Xabi Alonso makes eight changes from the team that started the DFB Cup win over Sandhausen during the week, where they won 5-2 after a late push, but it's the same XI that began last weekend's 2-1 win at home to Freiburg.
0:10
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Watch: Inside the Leverkusen dressing room

Hoffenheim XI

Baumann (c) - Akpoguma, Kabak, Vogt - Skov, Prömel, Stach, Becker, Bülter - Weghorst, Beier

Hoffenheim subs

Philipp, Berisha, Bebou, Samassekou, Brooks, Kramarić, Conté, Tohumcu, Szalai

Leverkusen XI

Hrádecký (c) - Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba - Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo - Hofmann, Wirtz - Boniface

Leverkusen subs

Kovář, Stanišić, Hincapie, Andrich, Amiri, Tella, Adli, Hložek, Puerta
0:10
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Watch: Welcome to the PreZero Arena

Get a glimpse of where the magic will happen today...

Set your alarms

A little note on housekeeping for today's game. We get underway in Hoffenheim at 3.30pm CET, with team news dropping an hour before kick-off. Set your alarms now and turn on alerts in the app to make sure you get that team news as soon as it lands.
4:33
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Watch: Bayer Leverkusen - Full Steam Ahead

With Leverkusen motoring right now under Alonso, we've taken a look at whether this side can they go all the way and dethrone Bayern...

What's at stake today?

For the league-leading visitors a victory would take them five points clear of Bayern Munich before the champions' Klassiker meeting with Borussia Dortmund later today. Meanwhile, a home win could see Hoffenheim pull level on points with Dortmund (fourth) and VfB Stuttgart (third).
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Alonso's view on Hoffenheim

"They have a good mix of young and experienced players. They're compact and have a very intelligent style of play. That's also thanks to their coach, who's doing good work. It'll be an intense game. We want a good result in every game [and also] a broad squad and every player. We saw in Sandhausen [in the DFB Cup] that nobody's going to gift us anything and that we can never lose our focus."
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Matarazzo's view on Leverkusen

"I think it's always important that we have a comparison with one of the best teams in the league. It was similar against Dortmund, where we didn't perform to our limit. That's why we got knocked out [of the DFB Cup]. We also need to go to our limited against Leverkusen. Only one percent less won't be enough to get something. I'm looking forward to the challenge. They have good gegenpressing, have good balance. Leverkusen have enormously good players in their squad. It makes them tough to crack for opponents. They're definitely ready for a title. They show that week after week."
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Probable line-ups

Who’s set to play this weekend? Who’s going to miss out? Keep up to date with all the latest team news right here!
3:13
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Watch: Vote for October’s Goal of the Month!

Home discomforts

As well as losing three of four home games so far this Bundesliga season, Hoffenheim have suffered more defeats on their own patch to Leverkusen than any Bundesliga team they've hosted (nine from 15).
2:03
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Watch: Hoffenheim 1-3 Leverkusen - previous meeting

Leverkusen won away to Hoffenheim for the second successive season back in February, avenging their 3-0 home defeat earlier in the campaign - their only loss in their last six meetings with Die Kraichgauer (W3, D2).
2:03
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Watch: Stuttgart 2-3 Hoffenheim - highlights

Hoffenheim made it five away wins from five with victory at high-flying VfB Stuttgart. The Sinsheim club begin the weekend in sixth place, four clear of seventh and only three outside the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.
2:03
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Watch: Leverkusen 2-1 Freiburg - highlights

Florian Wirtz scored the pick of the goals as Leverkusen responded to Bayern Munich's 8-0 win over Darmstadt by beating Freiburg to go back to the top of the table. Unbeaten this season, Xabi Alonso's have taken 25 points from the first 27 on offer, only drawing with Bayern.

Hello and welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 10 fixture between Hoffenheim and Leverkusen.