Hertha Berlin vs. Bayer Leverkusen: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Piatek has made a solid return from an ankle fracture that saw him miss the first month of this season. His goal was in vain in a 2-1 defeat to Freiburg, but Hertha then recorded back-to-back wins over Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach before slipping to defeat again against Hoffenheim. That loss was made even more painful by the dismissal of captain Dedryck Boyata for a straight red card, and the defender will now miss this game plus two more in the Bundesliga. Marton Dardai should come in as a straight swap after recovering from a muscle strain. Marvin Plattenhardt is also back, meaning Maximilian Mittelstädt should continue in a more advanced wing position.

Wirtz has posted excellent numbers this season with four goals and six assists from nine Bundesliga appearances, including at least one in each of the first seven. But the 18-year-old Golden Boy nominee has gone two without contributing a goal as Leverkusen's winless run has extended to three league games and seen their position in fourth come under threat from below. Coach Gerardo Seoane will be boosted by the return of Moussa Diaby following a Bundesliga suspension that saw him miss the 2-0 defeat at home to Wolfsburg. Die Werkself are in UEFA Europa League action at home to Real Betis on Thursday, providing ideal playing time for striker Lucas Alario on his return from injury - especially given that top scorer Patrik Schick is himself sidelined for a few weeks.

Match stats

Piatek has either scored or assisted in each of his last three Bundesliga home games across multiple seasons.

The Berliners are unbeaten in four against Die Werkself, keeping a clean sheet in each game.

The Old Lady have alternated wins and defeats at home this season. Their last fixture at the Olympiastadion was a 1-0 victory over Gladbach.

Having started the season with either a goal or assist in each of his first seven outings, Wirtz has now gone two Bundesliga matches without contributing to a goal.

Leverkusen are without a win in three Bundesliga games (D1, L2).

However, they are yet to lose way from home in any competition under Seoane (W5, D3).

Probable line-ups

Hertha: Schwolow - Pekarik, Stark (c), M. Dardai, Plattenhardt - Ascacibar, Serdar - Richter, Darida, Mittelstädt - Piatek

Out: Boyata (suspended), Klünter (shoulder), Torunarigha (thigh)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Pal Dardai

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Frimpong, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie - Andrich, Demirbay - Diaby, Wirtz, Amiri - Alario

Out: Aranguiz (calf), Bakker (ankle), Baumgartlinger (knee), Bellarabi (hamstring), Fosu-Mensah (knee) Schick (ankle)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Gerardo Seoane