#KOEB04 – Countdown to kick-off

The match at the RheinEnergie Stadium will be refereed by Manuel Gräfe from Berlin in a 20.00 CET kick-off. There will be a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Berlin and all the Bundesliga teams on this matchday will wear black arm bands as a sign of solidarity with those affected. Read on for facts and stats on the 59th Bundesliga derby between FC Köln and the Werkself.

Today's itinerary

The Bayer 04 first team squad met up at 10.00 CET. After breakfast, a warm-up session and a meeting with video analysis it's off to the team hotel in Langenfeldt where the squad can spend the afternoon in peace and quiet to concentrate on tonight's game. The Werkself will play in the black kit and Köln in red.

Records looking good

The previous 58 meetings with FC Köln in the top flight have resulted in 22 wins for Bayer 04, 22 draws and 14 wins for the neighbours from Cologne. The past 22 league games against FC Köln have only seen three defeats for the Werkself. That compares with 14 victories and five draws over that period. Leverkusen have only lost once in Cologne in the last eleven Bundesliga encounters (six wins, four draws) – in April 2011 in a 2-0 reverse. The defence has been very solid in these matches: Bayer 04 have not conceded in six of the last eight away games at Köln.

Last home defeat for Köln in the derby

For the first time since September 2005 FC Köln got into a Bundesliga game against Bayer 04 ahead of the Werkself in the table and it is also the first time since 1990/91 that the side from Cologne will be ahead of the Werkself at the winter break. FC Köln have not lost any of the last nine Bundesliga home games (five wins, four draws) and have not conceded more than one goal in any of those games with five clean sheets along the way. The last defeat in Cologne was against Bayer 04: That was the 2-0 win for the Werkself in April of this year with Julian Brandt and Chicharito finding the back of the net.

Always good for an away goal

Bayer 04 have scored in all of the last 19 Bundesliga away matches and could equal the club record of 20 with at least one goal (September 1987 to November 1988). A curious coincidence: That record run started with a 0-0 draw in Cologne and ended with a 3-0 defeat, also in Cologne

Another couple of number games

FC Köln have earned eight points after being behind this season with only Bayer 04 clocking up more (ten). The Werkself have won nine of the last eleven Bundesliga matches on Wednesdays (plus one draw, one defeat), including the past five away games on that day of the week. FC Köln have failed to win or score on their own pitch in the last five Bundesliga Wednesday games (three drawers, two defeats).

Important information for fans

Bayer 04 will have the support of 3,100 fans at the RheinEnergie Stadium. A relief train from Leverkusen Mitte station will leave at 17.25 CET and there will be shuttle buses to the stadium from Cologne main station at Breslauer Platz. After the game there will be shuttle buses to the Köln Messe/Deutz station to connect with relief train to Leverkusen Mitte. The away section opens at 17.30 CET. IMPORTANT INFO: There are no left luggage facilities for bags/rucksacks and these items are not allowed in the stadium.

There are additional security measures for this game. Supporters are requested to arrive in good time and there are changes to the normal access arrangements. FC Köln fans with tickets for the East Stand are requested to access the stadium by the East entrance on the south side. The whole North/East section will be cordoned off to avoid home and away fans mixing. Only Bayer 04 fans will be allowed to access the North/East corner of the stadium. The whole area between the Abelbauten (formerly Marathon gate) will also be closed to pedestrians. The ticket point in the western Abelbau is accessible.