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.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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