Good record against, and at, Schalke
Bayer 04 have clocked up 30 Bundesliga wins against FC Schalke 04 and have only enjoyed more success against VfB Stuttgart (33). The Werkself have won the last three matches at Schalke. The last time Bayer 04 secured four consecutive away wins against an opponent it was in Sinsheim at TSG Hoffenheim (2012 to 2014).
Almost always one goal per game
Leverkusen have found the back of the net in all of the last seven games against Schalke. It was just one goal in six of those seven matches with the Werkself scoring more once in a 3-2 victory in April 2016. Bayer 04 fought back after being two goals down after 29 minutes with goals from Julian Brandt, Karim Bellarabi and Chicharito securing the win .
'Kies' likes royal blue
Stefan Kießling has scored eight goals against Schalke in the Bundesliga, more than the rest of the Bayer 04 squad put together (Bellarabi three, Volland two, Baumgartlinger and Brandt one each). Kies netted home and away against Schalke last term, with half of his four goals in the season coming against the Royal Blues.
High time on the road
Bayer 04 are one of three teams (in addition to Mainz and Stuttgart) still without a point away from home this term. Heiko Herrlich's team have let in eight of the ten goals conceded on the road. In their three away games the Werkself have allowed the opposition nine clear goalscoring opportunities – compared with just two in the three home games.
Alario in select group
In his debut on Bundesliga matchday six, Lucas Alario scored once and provided one assist. Five players have managed that since detailed records were kept in 2004: Diego, Demba Ba, Juan Arango, Douglas Costa and now Alario.
Unbeaten in twelve
Before losing 3-0 to FC Bayern on matchday five at the Veltins Arena, Schalke were undefeated in twelve home games in succession (six wins, six draws).
Brace for Kevin
Kevin Volland was in good form against HSV scoring twice as he did in the 4-0 home victory over SC Freiburg. This is the first time in his Bundesliga career he scored a brace in two successive home games. Volland has scored four goals in eight days before: In September/October 2015 he bagged two braces for Hoffenheim in successive games (at Augsburg and at home to Stuttgart).
On opposite sides in youth games
Domenico Tedesco and Heiko Herrlich have already faced each other as coaches in 2013/14 and 2014/15 in the South/South-West section of the U17 Bundesliga. Tedesco was a youth coach at VfB Stuttgart and Herrlich in the same role at FC Bayern. 24 goals were scored in the four games – an above-average return for the U17 Bundesliga of six goals per game.
Front row at the Schwadbud
For many Bayer 04 fans, who do not travel with the Werkself, it is an established practice to watch away games in the Schwadbud to get behind the lads in the company of fellow fans. It is possible that it might be busier in the fan pub tonight: It will be the first time a Bayer 04 match has not been on Sky but instead only available on Eurosport Player, which very few homes or bars have access to. So it could well be worth getting there early: The Schwadbud opens its doors one hour before kick-off at 19.30 CET.
The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).
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The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.
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Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.
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The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.
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For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.
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