Monday match
The Werkself have their second Monday fixture in the almost 40-year history of the Bundesliga. And that was not that long ago: At the start of April in last season's penultimate Monday league game, the Werkself clocked up a runaway 4-1 victory in Leipzig. Same again please! The same result came in the most recent meeting in Nuremberg on 14 April 2014 with goals from Emir Spahic (2), Sebastian Boenisch and Roberto Hilbert. Julian Brandt and Lars Bender also played in that game. The duo know the script…
Wow factor
To get used to the Franconian dialect, we will practice rolling our 'r's. So here we go: In the previous 50 meetings in the top flight, the Frrrranconians have often kindly donated the points to the Werkself . 25 times it was all three and one point on thirteen occasions. Leverkusen have clocked up 92 goals in this fixture, which is an average of almost two per game. Looking back at the last five matches against the nine-time German champions, the Black and Reds have scored 14 times producing five victories. That certainly represents a wow factor. The most successful goalscorer in this fixture is also a Frrrranconian: Stefan Kießling scored eleven goals in total – including ten for Bayer 04.
three highest numbers
We've already mentioned the kindly approach of FC Nürnberg: In their previous 25 league home games against Bayer 04, FCN have won nine times and curiously by one goal on each occasion. The hosts earned four 1-0 wins, one 3-2 and one match in Frrrranconia ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts. Talking about goals: Even though the Werkself defence has not covered itself in glory this term (24 goals conceded) – FC Nürnberg have not won for six games (including three home matches) and have conceded 29 goals – the highest number in the league. The 'Club' have conceded twelve in the first half – also the highest number in the league. And these twelve goals were let in in the first 30 minutes – Yet again the highest number in the league. Hopefully that run will continue tonight.
Congratulations, Heiko!
This year, Heiko Herrlich's birthday is on a matchday. To be more exact: The Werkself head coach is 47 today. His wish list includes three requests. "I hope my team produces a top performance at Nürnberg, they push themselves to their limits and we get a result," declared Herrlich at the pre-match press conference – it would be his 20th Bundesliga victory as the Werkself coach. We wish the boss a happy birthday and cross our fingers. Well-wishers on this occasion will definitely include the referee Bibiana Steinhaus who is in charge of her ninth Bundesliga fixture in tonight's game at FC Nürnberg and the first time involving the Werkself. Following Martin Petersen (at RB Leipzig) and Robert Schröder (at home to VfB Stuttgart), this will be the third match in succession that the referee is in charge of a Bayer 04 fixture for the first time. All good things come in threes. A good omen for three points…
Weather forecast: 10 degrees, rain
Expected attendance: 32,000, including 350 from Leverkusen
TV broadcaster: Eurosport
