
The Werkself's record against Borussia could be a lot worse: they haven't lost to the Foals in 11 games and actually won nine of those. Patrik Schick has particularly enjoyed recent meetings, having netted in four of his last five appearances against Gladbach in a Bayer 04 shirt.
Set pieces could also be key again for Kasper Hjulmand's men on Sunday evening, as the Werkself have scored five times from dead balls in their three league games so far this season - three from free kicks and two penalties. That's the most in the Bundesliga.
After a slow start to the campaign with just one point and no goals scored in the first three league matches of the season, Gladbach coach Gerardo Seoane had to pack his bags on Monday, with U23 boss Eugen Polanski taking charge for the time being. The former Foals player, who also had spells at Hoffenheim and Mainz in the Bundesliga, will have to come up with something in attack as he's without two star players in captain and frontman Tim Kleindienst as well as winger Robin Hack because of injury. Summer signings Haris Tabakovic, Shuto Machino and Giovanni Reyna are still yet to get off the mark, although the Foals have registered the second-most attempts on goal and the second-most crosses of all Bundesliga teams - all that's been lacking is the cutting edge. Polanski will be hoping to change that at Leverkusen and also shore up the recently shaky defence. There's more on the Borussia from Mönchengladbach in our extensive opposition report.
Today's referee Felix Zwayer last oversaw the Werkself in the 4-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 24 of last season. Bayer 04's overall record under his watch is also positive: the Black-and-Reds have won 19 out of 36 fixtures, drawn eight and lost nine. Assisting the 44-year-old on the touchlines will be Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz, with Florian Lechner as the fourth official and Christian Dingert as the video assistant.
Sunday evening's clash will be shown live on DAZN in Germany. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Florian Bechholz. In addition, the live text update service will keep you up-to-date. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
Show more
The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
Show more
A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
Show more
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more