After the results on the last matchday, the Werkself can no longer be caught by their rivals from Frankfurt and Freiburg and are therefore guaranteed to finish at least sixth in the Bundesliga and compete in the Europa League. The focus is now exclusively upwards and therefore on TSG Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart. Both clubs currently have a two-point lead, and they face each other on Saturday afternoon.
A draw in this head-to-head clash would see the Werkself leap into fourth place if they beat RB Leipzig at home in the top match on Saturday night. From then on, Bayer 04 would have everything in their own hands. If either Hoffenheim or Stuttgart win like Leverkusen, the Black and Reds would finish fifth behind the winner of this clash. In the end, this could also entitle them to participate in the Champions League (see below).
Bayer 04:
TSG Hoffenheim:
VfB Stuttgart:
Whether four or five Bundesliga clubs will compete in the Champions League next season depends on the performance of the participants in this year's UEFA competitions. The overview is provided by the UEFA rankings, also known as the UEFA coefficient. In the end, only the two best associations in the ranking will receive an additional fifth Champions League starting place in the coming season.
England have an unassailable lead, while Portugal, in fourth place, have little chance of finishing second in the UEFA rankings. This means that Spain and Germany are currently in a tight race for second place.
UEFA ranking (as at 1 May):
The points average of the UEFA participants from the respective association is ultimately decisive for the ranking. As the Bundesliga had one less starter than Spain's La Liga this season, positive results for the remaining German participants (Bayern Munich and SC Freiburg) carry more weight than those of the remaining Spanish representatives Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. To summarise, the two German clubs must be more successful in the knockout matches (semi-finals and final) than their Spanish rivals.
Atlético Madrid face Arsenal in the Champions League, while Rayo Vallecano take on Racing Strasbourg in the Conference League. Bayern Munich face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and SC Freiburg take on Sporting Braga in the Europa League.
Nine points are still up for grabs for the Werkself, and the position in the season run-in is more than exciting. The two home games against RB Leipzig (Saturday, 2 May, 18:30 CEST) and Hamburger SV (Saturday, 16 May, 15:30 CEST) are sold out. An important appeal to Bayer 04 fans: If you are unable to use your season card or match tickets for these games, please put them on the official Bayer 04 ticket exchange. The demand for tickets for these games is very high.
More than 3,000 away tickets have already been sold for the last away game of the season in Stuttgart (Saturday, 9 May, 15:30 CEST). Anyone who does not yet have a ticket and is a Bayer 04 Club member or season card holder can register HERE to secure tickets.
For the run-in, Nordkurve12 has once again called for ‘Finally Red’ at the Werkself's last three games. Let's go for the season finale - all in red, all together!
Bayer 04 earned a 2-2 draw at FC Augsburg on Bundesliga Matchday 3 with a late equaliser. The Werkself led at half-time through Christian Kofane's strike but the hosts, who went in the game as league leaders, turned it around with a quickfire double from Michael Gregoritsch after the break. The Black-and-Reds didn't give up, though, and salvaged a point thanks to substitute Patrik Schick's flick in the 89th minute.
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After the first win of the season against 1. FC Union Berlin (4-0) last weekend, the Werkself are aiming to collect another three points at FC Augsburg on Saturday 12 September (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hosts, meanwhile, are enjoying their best-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign and go into Matchday 3 top of the table for the first time. The Matchday News.
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The Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.
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FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Following the closure of the 2026 summer transfer window, the Bayer 04 men's and women's first teams lined up for a first-ever joint photo at the BayArena. Werkself fans can now download the official photos for free.
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