Hoffenheim welcome Bayer Leverkusen to the SNP Arena on Sunday afternoon, with both sides looking to build on impressive European victories in midweek.

Hoffenheim

After a difficult start to the Bundesliga season, Hoffenheim appear to have finally found some momentum, having secured successive victories across two competitions.

Christian Ilzer's side picked up just three points from their opening five league matches, but secured a much-needed 2-1 victory away at Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend.

Bambase Conte opened the scoring before Alexander Prass restored Hoffenheim's lead in the second half, leaving Die Kraichgauer 14th in the Bundesliga with six points.

Things got even better on Thursday, when they went on to produce an impressive performance to beat French giants Lyon 3-0 in the Europa League, securing their first points of the competition.

Andrej Kramaric was the star of the show on the night, with the Croatian opening the scoring before setting up goals for Adam Daghim and Adam Hlozek.

However, Ilzer's side have lost twice on home soil so far this term, and will have to improve at the back to pick up a result against a firing Leverkusen side.

Team news

Hoffenheim remain without Nathan De Cat, who recently underwent surgery on a meniscus injury sustained in training.

Albian Hajdari and Patrick Wimmer are also sidelined, while Bambasé Conté is a doubt for Sunday's encounter.

Following Thursday's European victory, Ilzer could make several changes, with former Leverkusen attacker Adam Hložek pushing for a starting place after scoring against Lyon.

Bayer Leverkusen

Few teams in Europe can match Leverkusen's recent form, with Die Werkself heading into Sunday's clash on the back of six consecutive victories across all competitions.

Carles Martinez's side have recovered impressively from their opening-day defeat against Elversberg, and now sit fourth in the Bundesliga after sealing 13 points from six league matches.

Last weekend's 2-1 win over then table-toppers Freiburg was particularly significant, with Ibrahim Maza and Patrik Schick overturning an early deficit to hand the visitors their first defeat of the season.

Schick's winner also saw the Czech international become the first Leverkusen player to score in each of the opening six Bundesliga matchdays of a campaign.

The winning run continued on Thursday, when Jonas Hofmann scored twice in a comfortable 2-0 victory away at OFI Crete, maintaining Leverkusen's perfect record in the Europa League.

Now, Die Werkself will be looking to secure a fourth consecutive Bundesliga victory and maintain the pressure on the teams above them.

Team news

Leverkusen remain without Martin Terrier, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Christian Kofane, Guéla Doue and Kennet Eichhorn, while Montrell Culbreath is also doubtful.

Martinez made five changes to his starting lineup against OFI Crete on Thursday, meaning several regular starters could return for Sunday's encounter.

Mark Flekken, Edmond Tapsoba, Moussa Diaby and Ibrahim Maza are among those likely to come back into contention, although Hofmann has certainly strengthened his case for another start following his midweek brace.