The referee for today's match is Benjamin Brand. The 27-year-old management executive will be assisted by Robert Schröder and Christian Leicher. Marcus Schüller is the fourth official.
Good omen? – The next run?
After the 3-1 win at Augsburg: Two years ago a 2-2 draw at FCA was followed by a run of seven Bundesliga wins in succession the Bayer 04 and last year 3-3 draw at Augsburg was also followed by seven Bundesliga victories on the bounce. Let's hope that happens again.
On song against Mainz
Bayer 04 have won three of the last four matches against Mainz with this season's previous fixture ending in a 3-2 win at Mainz. However, Leverkusen have never won both games in a season against FSV. With 37 goals conceded (the same as Hamburg SV) Mainz have the third weakest defence in the league behind Bremen (42) and Darmstadt (41). Only once have they conceded as many goals at the same point in the season as now (2004/05, finished in 11th position).
Mainz weak on the road
FSV Mainz have lost the last six away games in the top flight – the team from Rhineland Hessen have only experienced a similar bad run in the Bundesliga in their first season in 2004/5 when they ended up losing eight away games in succession.
What an exciting previous game
The Werkself wanted the win and they got it. Bayer 04 showed great team spirit to come from behind twice and score the 3-2 winner in added time. Chicharito was the man of the match with a hat-trick for the Werkself. It's good to remember: It was the second minute of added time as Jonathan Tah chipped the ball into the box for Chicharito to head the ball past Jonas Lössl into the net.
Schwadbud is open
As usual, the popular fan pub the Schwadbud at the BayArena opens its doors two hours before kick-off, is closed during the game and reopens for ticket holders after the match. The #W11Fantalk will be broadcast live on the club website.
#W11Fantalk with Kevin Kampl
After the match at around 18.00 CET the Werkself player will again answer your questions at the popular #W11Fantalk - this time it's the turn of Kevin Kampl from Solingen to appear at the Schwadbud. You can put your questions to Kevin from now via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #W11Fantalk.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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