The first match of the round 20 in German Bundesliga will see runners-up Bayer Leverkusen host third-placed Hannover in what should be a very exciting game. Bayer are looking to improve their poor home record after beating Borussia M’gladbach away, while Hannover aim to return to winning ways after losing at home to Schalke.

Michael Ballack is back

Bayer Leverkusen currently look like the only team capable of catching Borussia Dortmund, even if they missed a chance to close the gap as they lost at home to Jurgen Klopp’s side. Jupp Heynckes’ side are playing really well this season and they are in pretty good form at the moment, as witnessed by convincing away victories over Bochum and Borussia M’Gladbach, so they now have a great chance to cement the second place in the standings by beating Hannover. Bayer haven’t been too impressive in home games this season but with Michael Ballack returning to the side, everything suggests the poor home record will be improved. The team are full of confidence following the good run of results and they will be looking to attack Hannover from the off.

After the good cameo role in the last game Michael Ballack is expected to start in midfielder alongside Rolfes and Vidal, while Renato Augusto will keep his side just behind Stefan Kiessling.

Hannover slowly losing ground

There is absolutely no doubt Hannover have been the biggest stand out performers in the first part of the season as instead of fighting to escape the relegation race they managed to climb all the way up to third place in the standings. The five-match winning run at the end of last year saw Hannover enter the race for Champions League places, but Mirko Slomka’s side have since started to struggle. It was only a matter of time before the team start slipping down the Bundesliga standings as everybody can see they don’t have the quality to match the best sides in the league, with home defeat to Schalke last weekend the perfect proof. Hannover now face another tough task as they are about to face high-flying Bayer Leverkusen at Bay Arena, and I don’t think they can get something from this game.

The visitors are likely to be without Jan Schlaudraff, Emanuel Pogatetz and Sergio Pinto, all of which are important first team players.

Verdict

Bayer Leverkusen are playing really well at the moment and they boast one of the best midfield areas now that Michael Ballack has returned, so they shouldn’t have too many problems against out-of-form Hannover. The visitors lack the quality to keep the high position in the standings and this match is going to prove that.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 1.55 (11/20)

Bookmaker: Sports Interaction