Wehen vs Bayer: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

On Saturday, while Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund battle for the German Super Cup, Wehen Wiesbaden and Bayer Leverkusen will clash for a place in the DFB-Pokal round of 32. The match takes place in the picturesque city of Wiesbaden, whose name literally translates from German as "meadow fields." But Leverkusen's players won't have time to admire the local scenery. Their mission is far more straightforward: secure a victory that every bookmaker considers a foregone conclusion. However, the German Cup is precisely the kind of competition where a favorite can never afford to relax, no matter the stage.

Wehen: Waiting for the "Pharmacists" with a Scalpel

Wehen is a third-division side. The start of their current season has been, to put it mildly, disastrous. Losses in the opening two league matches with a combined score of 1:7 speak volumes about the terrible form of the team from the banks of the Rhine.

Yet the DFB-Pokal is the tournament where previous results can be tucked away in the attic. Daniel Schörning's men will have a full stadium (capacity just over 13,000 fans), an emotional boost, and sky-high motivation.

The hosts don't need to prove they are stronger than their illustrious opponents. Wehen's main task is to minimize the space between their lines, prevent Leverkusen from accelerating their attacks, and, if possible, drag the match into a tense finale where a chance might appear.

Bayer: Martínez's First Exam

Two years ago, Bayer under Xabi Alonso captivated the football world. The team from Leverkusen won the Bundesliga without a single defeat, lifted the DFB-Pokal, and reached the Europa League final. That season was a fairy tale for the "pharmacists." However, the club's budget did not allow them to build on that success. For example, at the end of last season, Bayer finished only sixth in the national championship, a whopping 30 points behind the traditional champions, Bayern Munich.

This season, the "pharmacists" begin with a new coach. In early summer, Carles Martínez took the helm at Leverkusen. Before joining Bayer, the 42-year-old Spanish specialist worked at French club Toulouse, with Kuwait's youth national team, and in the academies of Espanyol and Barcelona. Under his guidance, Bayer played seven friendly matches, winning six of them. More than half of those friendlies were against serious opponents: Genk (4-0), Sevilla (2-1), Nottingham Forest (1-2 loss), and Newcastle United (2-1). This fact cannot help but add optimism for Bayer fans ahead of the new season.

It's also worth mentioning the summer transfer campaign. Bayer's ranks were bolstered by Miguel Gutiérrez from Napoli, Facundo Medina from Marseille, Kenneth Ayeh from Hertha, and Afonso Moreira from Lyon. The main focus of the transfer policy was strengthening the left flank, with Gutiérrez settling in defense and Moreira in attack. The club's management spent €92.5 million on these acquisitions. Meanwhile, Bayer lost their long-time leader and set-piece specialist, Alejandro Grimaldo. The newly crowned world champion returned to his native Spain, where he will now play for Atlético Madrid.

Predicted Lineups for Wehen – Bayer

Wehen (3-4-3): Stritzel – Janitzek, Lewald, Gillekens – Herker, Suárez, Gezusirin, Greilinger – Ati Allah, Flotho, Carwein

Out: None Head coach: Daniel Schörning

Bayer (4-2-3-1): Flekken – Vásquez, Bade, Tapsoba, Gutiérrez – García, Fernández – Moreira, Tillman, Tella – Schick

Out: None Head coach: Carles Martínez

Referee: Christian Dingert

In only one of his last ten official matches did this 46-year-old referee point to the penalty spot. Moreover, in five of his previous eight matches, he showed fewer than four yellow cards, recording an average of 23 fouls per game.

Prediction and Bet on Wehen – Bayer

Main prediction: Bayer Leverkusen win with handicap (-2.5) at odds 1.97

Considering the state of the opponents heading into Saturday's clash, it seems Carles Martínez will begin his official tenure at Bayer on a high note. If the first goal comes within the opening 20–30 minutes, a rout for the hosts will be unavoidable.

During pre-season, Bayer's attack improved significantly. For instance, Patrick Schick and Victor Boniface, returning from injury, showed excellent scoring form (averaging a goal per half). On average, Leverkusen scored more than three goals per match during the preparatory period (3.15). Therefore, Martínez has plenty of options up front even with possible rotation. We take Bayer's win with a handicap (-2.5) at 1.97.

Goal prediction: During the summer break, Bayer conceded less than a goal per match on average. Given how "well" Wehen's players have started the season, there is no reason to believe that Mark Flekken's goal is under any threat. At this point, the club from Wiesbaden is the bottom team in the third division. In neither of their two official matches this season have the red-and-blacks even come close to a single goal in terms of expected goals (xG). We bet on "both teams to score – no" at 1.88.