#B04BVB – Facts and stats ahead of Dortmund game

2, 4, 6

A look at the even run of numbers throws up the following question: Can the  Werkself follow up the 1-0 win against Mainz 05 with a SECond Bundesliga home win in the FOUrth game in the busy run of fixtures on the SIXth Bundesliga matchday? Heiko Herrlich showed respect for the revived BVB at yesterday's pre-match press conference. But he was also defiant: "We believe we are in with a chance and we'll look for a result." And why not? Three points for the Black and Reds tonight would be special: The Herrlich team only clocked up two home wins in succession once last term (after none in 2016/17 ) – on matchdays 4 and 6. The same again please. And that in front of 197 countries…

Dortmund vulnerable on the road

There are no doubts about the possibility of win number 28 (22 draws, 29 defeats) in 79. Bundesliga meetings with Borussia Dortmund. Particularly as Borussia have recently looked vulnerable away from home: BVB have not won any of their last seven away games in the league – the exact return: 4 draws, 3 defeats – Dortmund's last victory on the road was back in February (1-0 at Borussia Mönchengladbach). And the visitors do not have good memories of their last away outing  for the top match – The 6-0 reverse at FC Bayern at the end of March was the biggest away defeat in 27 years. But beware: After the 2-0 defeat for FC Bayern at Hertha Berlin last night, Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen are only two teams in the Bundesliga as yet unbeaten this term. And the chance of going top on matchday six provides additional motivation for BVB.

bees in attacking mood

The runaway 7-0 victory for the Black and Yellows against newly promoted FC Nürnberg last weekend was a statement of intent. And the flood of goals means the team coached by Lucien Favre  have the most dangerous attack in the league –  the swarm of BVB bees have stung 15 times in the last five games. Tonight's opponents have scored an average of three goals per game so far. And twelve different Yellow and Black players have found the back of the net to date  – that has never happened before at this stage of the season. Marco Reus is the most prolific scorer with three goals so far for the Champions League participants. Numbers that demand recognition and applause as well as respect above all. Perhaps the cool temperature of 13 degrees forecast for this evening in  Leverkusen could cool that attacking flair. "We'll have to be on our guard straightaway after losing the ball," was the apt appeal from Heiko Herrlich to his team with Julian Baumgartlinger, Panagiotis Retsos (rehab), Joel Pohjanpalo (ankle), Charles Aránguiz and Karim Bellarabi (suspended) still sidelined. 

REFEREE Dr. Felix Brych

FIFA referee Dr. Felix Brych  is in charge of tonight's top match between Bayer 04 and BVB. For the 43-year-old  Munich-born referee, #B04BVB is his 252th game in Germany's top-flight. The Referee of the Year has officiated in 31 Werkself league games to date – with an absolutely positive record for the Black and Reds with the Bavarian looking back at 20 wins, five draws and six defeats: In his last outing at the BayArena last season, the  Werkself ran out 4-1 winners against Eintracht Frankfurt. A good omen? We'll see. The assistant referees are Mark Borsch and Stefan Lupp. The fourth official is Frank Willenborg and Christian Dingert and Sven Waschitzki are the VAR referees.

LegendS day at the BayArena

Regardless of the importance of the game against BVB, today's match against Borussia Dortmund has a special extra attraction. The BayArena will provide the stage for the reunion of three Bayer 04 teams with a secure place in the history of the Werkself: The DFB Cup winners of 1993 celebrate their 25th anniversary, the UEFA Cup winners of  1988 their 30th and the Regional League West victors of 1968 their half century. All three teams will be honoured before kick-off and at half-time in the meeting with BVB. And after the match, Franco Foda (DFB Cup winner 1988) and Wolfgang Rolff (UEFA Cup winner 1988) will give their post-match assessments in the Schwadbud plus one or two anecdotes from their time at Bayer 04. The #W11Fantalk will be broadcast from around 20.40 CET on bayer04.de and the Werkself Facebook page.

TRAFFIC ADVICE

A warning for anyone visiting the stadium. Since Friday night, Autobahn 3 only has two lanes open in the direction of Frankfurt at the Opladen junction  and A3 exit for Opladen is closed due to roadworks. According to Straßen.NRW,  drivers will be diverted via the Leverkusen junction. Heavy traffic is expected in this area particularly following the visit to Cologne by Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan – that may well affect access to the BayArena. Supporters are again reminded that there is a free shuttle bus service – match tickets (except print@home-Tickets) are also valid for travel on the Rhein-Sieg and Rhein-Ruhr transport network. Bayer 04 wish you a trouble-free journey.

#B04BVB on FACEBOOK aND CO.

The BayArena is almost completely sold-out for the home game against  BVB. Any Bayer 04 fans unable to be at the match have the options of following the Werkself from afar include club communication channels such as the live text commentary on bayer04.de and the acoustic alternative of the Werkself Radio. Other information and key moments in the 90 minutes are also available on our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and Snapchat under the hashtag  #B04BVB. Any body wanting to keep up-to-date with all the afternoon games in the Bundesliga are welcome to visit the Schwadbud from 14.30 CET. 04 hours later comes the home win mission: It's all set up – come on the Werkself!