#B04HSV - Countdown to kick-off

Home game on federal election day

The final day of Bundesliga matchday six coincides with the German federal elections. The polling stations in Germany open at 8 o'clock in the morning. Ten hours later, as the game between Bayer 04 and Hamburg SV kicks off at 18.00 CET, it will be the end of the opportunity for citizens entitled vote to have their say  in the formation of the next German government. That fits in perfectly: First, put your cross on the ballot paper and then off to the BayArena to watch football. We will bring you the preliminary results during the game. Tickets are still available for today's game.

Unbeaten at home

The home fixture against HSV is the third match at the BayArena in the current campaign. Following the 2-2 draw against TSG Hoffenheim and the brilliant 4-0 victory over FC Freiburg last weekend, the team coached by Heiko Herrlich are still unbeaten at home. Hopefully that will continue against the Bundesliga old boys from Hamburg. The omens could be worse: The BayArena has not been a happy hunting ground for Hamburg in the past eight meetings in Leverkusen with two draws and six defeats for HSV - at the same time, the Werkself have won all of the last five meetings (16 goals for and four against). The last away win for HSV against Bayer 04 was over eight years ago – the Red shorts secured a 2-1 victory in February 2009 when the Werkself were playing in Düsseldorf.

Chequered record

Bayer 04 have only won more Bundesliga games against VfB Stuttgart (33 Mal) and FC Schalke 04 (30) than they have against HSV (28). However, the Black and Reds have only lost more often in the top flight against FC Bayern (45) than against Borussia Dortmund and HSV (28 each). The total of 76 league fixtures have also produced 20 draws. HSV fans will not be happy to recall the last clash in Leverkusen: In September of last year the Bayer 04 striker Joel Pohjanpalo came off the bench to bag three goals in 15 minutes to secure a 3-1 victory for the Werkself - that was the 100th perfect hat-trick in the history of the Bundesliga.

Duel between two stalwarts

The fixture between HSV and Bayer 04 brings together two of the total of seven Bundesliga clubs who have never been relegated from Germany's top flight. The visitors from Hamburg have been in the first division since the Bundesliga was founded in 1963 and the Werkself have clocked up 37 years to make them the club with the third longest unbroken membership of the first division. Only FC Bayern have been in the Bundesliga longer than Leverkusen (since 1965). The other clubs yet to be relegated are VfL Wolfsburg, TSG Hoffenheim, FC Augsburg and RB Leipzig.

Lucas Alario Finally able to play

The German people and head coach Heiko Herrlich, with squad selection and starting eleven to decide, are both spoiled for choice on this Sunday. With the exception of Tin Jedvaj (rehab after hairline shin fracture), The boss has a full squad to choose from. That also includes Argentinian new signing Lucas Alario who is now able to play after weeks of waiting. At the end of an energy-sapping week of fixtures there are tricky conditions but definitely more simple decisions to be made as well.

On your bike to the BayArena 

The sunshine is not quite so bright on this Sunday. But the forecast is for temperatures of around 10  degrees and no rain. Perfect conditions For getting on your bike to cycle down to the BayArena. That fits in with a call for an "environmental matchday" to mark the 200th birthday of the bicycle and to give every fan the chance to make a contribution to saving the environment. Cycle racks and parking facilities are available under the bridge at the North West entrance (Mareinburger Straße).

Live Text commentary and #W11Fantalk

Live text commentary starts around two hours before kick-off at bayer 04.de and on the app. That includes information and background on the match and the announcement of the two teams at 17.00 CET. After the game it is time for the #W11Fantalk. For the third event of the new season we welcome Bayer 04 shot-stopper Bernd Leno to the Schwadbud after the final whistle of the Hamburg match at around 20.30 CET. Do you have any questions for the Werkself keeper? Then post them via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #W11Fantalk. You will be able to follow the discussion with our Number One as usual live on Facebook and at bayer04.de.