Bayer Leverkusen vs 1. FC Heidenheim Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this one. Bayer Leverkusen are playing host to the league's bottom side 1. FC Heidenheim, and on paper, this looks like a straightforward home win. But as we know in football, things aren't always that simple, are they?

Leverkusen are sitting pretty in 5th place with 17 points, but their recent form has been a bit of a mixed bag. They've had some proper highs and lows - that 4-3 thriller at Mainz shows they can score goals for fun, but then they went and got hammered 7-2 by PSG and lost 3-0 to Bayern. They're averaging 1.5 goals scored but also letting in 1.7 per game, which tells you their defence can be a bit generous at times.

Now for Heidenheim... well, they're having a right nightmare of a season. Rock bottom of the table with just 5 points from 9 games. Away from home, they're absolutely shocking - lost every single away game this season. They're barely managing 0.8 goals per game and shipping 1.8. No clean sheets in 10 matches tells you everything you need to know about their defensive setup.

But here's where it gets interesting for us punters. Despite being rubbish, Heidenheim have been scoring lately. They got one against Frankfurt and another against Hoffenheim. And Leverkusen? Well, they've both scored in 60% of their recent games. Their defence has been about as solid as a chocolate teapot at times.

The head-to-head record shows Leverkusen have dominated this fixture, but crucially, both teams have scored in 4 out of their 5 meetings. That's a pattern I like.

With Leverkusen's attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities, combined with Heidenheim's tendency to score even in defeat, I'm fancying both teams to find the net here. The home side should win the match, but the value might be in the goals market rather than the straightforward win.