Preview:Sonnenhof Grossaspach vs Bayer Leverkusen - prediction, team news, lineups

Erik ten Hag will take charge of his first competitive game as Bayer Leverkusen boss on Friday against hosts Sonnenhof Grossaspach at WIRmachenDRUCK Arena in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

Sonnenhof Grossaspach are first in the fourth tier's Southwest division after two matchweeks, whereas Leverkusen will begin their league season on August 23 against Hoffenheim.

---

Match preview

The hosts are embarking on their first season back in the fourth tier since suffering relegation in 2021-22, and they have never been higher than the third tier of German football.

SG have scored 10 goals in their opening two fixtures of 2025-26, though they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five competitive games.

Sonnenhof Grossaspach have not competed in the DFB-Pokal since 2013, when they lost 2-1 in the first round against FSV Frankfurt.

When including their five friendly fixtures, boss Pascal Reinhardt has overseen eight consecutive victories, and his players scored at least twice in all of those wins.

SG's record at home has also been impressive considering they have won their past five competitive outings at WIRmachenDRUCK Arena.

Leverkusen could be set for a season of disruption given a number of key staff and players left in the summer, including former boss Xabi Alonso, who departed for Real Madrid.

Ten Hag joined a side that failed to retain their Bundesliga title, finishing second in the league with 69 points, 13 fewer than champions Bayern Munich.

Die Schwarzroten exited the DFB-Pokal last term at the semi-final stage, losing 2-1 against 2. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld in April, though they did win the competition in 2023-24.

Ten Hag's team have played five pre-season friendlies, losing two and winning three, with his side beaten 2-0 by Chelsea on August 8 in their most recent outing.

Leverkusen conceded eight and found the back of the net eight times in those friendlies, keeping two clean sheets.

The visitors were poor on their travels in the closing stages of 2024-25 given they suffered one defeat, were held to three stalemates and only won once in their final five away matches of the campaign.

Sonnenhof Grossaspach form (all competitions):

Bayer Leverkusen friendly form:

---

Team News

Sonnenhof Grossaspach could line up in a 4-4-2 formation, stationing midfielders Volkan Celiktas and Loris Maier ahead of centre-backs Arbnor Nuraj and Antonis Aidonis.

In the forward line, Michael Kleinschrodt and Fabian Eisele can be expected to partner each other in a front two.

Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah is likely to be fielded in the heart of a back three, playing next to Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie.

With Granit Xhaka having left, perhaps Ten Hag could select Robert Andrich and Alex Garcia in a double pivot.

Florian Wirtz was also sold, and his exit may lead to starts in attack for Ibrahim Maza, Amine Adli and Patrik Schick.

Sonnenhof Grossaspach possible starting lineup:

Reule; Rahn, Aidonis, Nuraj, Mohr; Mistl, Celiktas, Maier, Tasdelen; Kleinschrodt, Eisele

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapie; Tella, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Schick, Adli

---

We say: Sonnenhof Grossaspach 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen

 

It is difficult to see how Sonnenhof Grossaspach will win on Friday considering they are three divisions below the visitors.

Despite the fact that Leverkusen have looked vulnerable at times under Ten Hag, the Dutch coach should still be able to guide his side to a comfortable victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

---

---