#D98B04: Countdown to kick-off
The Werkself are away to SV Darmstadt 98 tonight in a 20.00 CET kick-off at the Jonathan Heimes Stadium. The game will be refereed by Benjamin Brand (Unterspiesheim). Read on for the stats and facts on #D98B04:
Four wins for the Werkself
It's a long time since the Werkself and the Lilies first played each other in the 1980s. Since the 1981/82 season, the two clubs had a long wait for the next encounter in the league – until Darmstadt succeeded in reaching the top flight two years ago. There have been five previous meetings in the Bundesliga with the Werkself winning four and Darmstadt one.
One goal a rarity
Up to now, the games against the Lilies have been good for Leverkusen: In all the victories over Darmstadt, the Werkself have always found the back of the net at least twice and sometimes it's been three. As in the reverse fixture this season when Hakan Calhanoglu, Julian Brandt and Charles Aránguiz scored in a 3-2 win.
Lilies struggling
Darmstadt's situation does not inspire much hope. They are currently 14 points off safety – no other club in the history of the Bundesliga has made up such a large gap. Even if the Lilies win every game starting on Wednesday they would only reach a total of 39 points. That would not be enough to guarantee survival in the top flight.
Milestones in view
This could be a special game for two players: Ahead of the game against the Lilies, Kevin Volland is set to make his 150th appearance in the Bundesliga and Ömer Toprak is one game away from 150 appearances for Bayer 04. He also played 38 games in the top flight for SC Freiburg before joining Leverkusen.
Sidney Sam meets former club
There will be a reunion at Böllenfalltor for Sidney Sam who played for Bayer 04 from 2010 to 2014. The 29-year-old made 92 appearances for Bayer 04. Behind Stefan Kießling and Gonzalo Castro, Sam was the third-best goalscorer/provider during his time at the Werkself where he made his debut for Germany. Sam joined the Lilies at the start of the year on loan from Schalke 04 to the end of the season.
Friends reunited
Kevin Volland, Admir Mehmedi and Ramazan Özcan meet up with familiar faces at tonight's match. Volland and Darmstadt’s Sven Schipplock played together at TSG Hoffenheim as did Özcan and the Lilies captain Aytac Sulu. Mehmedi and Immanuel Höhn played together at SC Freiburg.
Two pros suspended
Both sides are missing a number of players. Sandro Sirigu is suspended for Darmstadt as is Charles Aránguiz for Leverkusen. Sirigu was shown two yellow cards against Leipzig at the weekend and Aránguiz picked up his fifth caution.
Live broadcast at the Schwadbud
The Schwadbud opens its doors again tonight for fans who have not travelled to Darmstadt. From 19.00 CET, Werkself fans will have the chance to meet up in the popular fan pub and cheer on the team. Tables cannot be reserved so it's worth turning up early.
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