Wolfsburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog

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US international Brooks and Wolfsburg have steadiest the ship somewhat of late, bouncing back from a nine-game winless run in the league to claim victory in three of the last six. However, the Wolves were beaten 3-2 last weekend in Freiburg, despite coming from two goals down to level. Max Kruse got his second goal back in Wolfsburg colours to kickstart the potential comeback, before Maxi Arnold - wearing the captain's armband in the absence of Koen Casteels - briefly restored parity. The midfielder will likely lead the team out again at the Volkswagen Arena with the skipper still struggling with a hip injury. It means Pavao Pervan should continue in goal as the Wolves seek to continue their climb away from danger at the bottom.

A calf injury means Schick hasn't played in the Bundesliga since the middle of February. The Czech striker, who is second only to Robert Lewandowski for goals in this season's German top flight, has missed the 3-0 win over Arminia Bielefeld, the 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich and last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Cologne. The latter was a bad day all round for Leverkusen. As well as local bragging rights, Die Werkself also lost Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to injury for the rest of the season. With Schick only just back in training and unlikely to play until after the international break, coach Gerardo Seoane really needs to draw upon his squad's strength in depth as they look to defend their one-point advantage over fourth place. If not, and other results also go against them, Bayer could go from third to sixth by the end of the weekend.

Match stats

Schick has 20 goals in as many league games this season, scored at a rate of one every 78 minutes - the same minutes-per-goal ratio as Lewandowski.

Wirtz is the current Bundesliga season's second best for assists (10), after Thomas Müller (16). Leverkusen's next best provider is Moussa Diaby (seven).

Pre-Matchday 27, Leverkusen have produced the second fewest number of crosses this season, but boast the best crosses-to-goal ratio in the division (one goal every 22nd delivery).

Kruse is set to make his 50th competitive appearance as a Wolfsburg player. He has registered 11 goals and 12 assists across his two spells at the club.

Wolfsburg are the second worst team in the shots-to-goals department. Leverkusen are the second best.

The home team has not won one of the last 11 Bundesliga meetings between the sides (three draws, eight away wins).

Probable line-ups

Wolfsburg: Pervan - Lacroix, Bornauw, Brooks - Baku, Schlager, Arnold (c), Roussillon - Kruse, L. Nmecha - Wind

Out: Casteels (hip), Otavio (knee), Philipp (ill), Van de Ven (thigh), William (knee)

Doubtful: Steffen (ill)

Coach: Florian Kohfeldt

Leverkusen: Hradecky (c) - Fosu-Mensah, Tah, Tapsoba, Bakker - Andrich, Aranguiz - Diaby, Demirbay, Adli - Alario

Out: Frimpong (ankle), Lunev (ankle), Schick (calf), Wirtz (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Gerardo Seoane