TSG Hoffenheim have not lost more home games in the Bundesliga against any other club than they have against Bayer 04 (nine). In addition, the team from the Kraichgau have not conceded as many goals at home in the Bundesliga against any other side as they have against the Werkself (29).
TSG have only been in the lead for 38 minutes at home in this Bundesliga campaign and it is at least 65 minutes for all the other teams. Bayer 04 have only been behind for a total of 21 minutes so far this season – the best record in the league this term.
TSG made their best start to the season in their Bundesliga history with 15 points from seven games. Since then however, they have experienced ups and downs: First there was a defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt (1-3), then a 3-2 victory over VfB Stuttgart, and finally a 1-0 defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the last round of the DFB Pokal with the cup exit representing another setback. Hoffenheim are now sixth in the Bundesliga table. TSG, who only avoided relegation late on last season, are currently in touch with the European spots. Further information on today's opponents can be found in our lowdown on our next opponents.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Frank Willenborg as the man in the middle against TSG. The 44-year-old referee has previously been in charge of nine games involving the Werkself that ended in five wins, two draws and two defeats. Willenborg will be assisted on the touchlines by Guido Kleve and Arne Aarnink with Tobias Stieler on VAR duty.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's game. The audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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