The Werkself's record of 52 points after 20 matches represents the third-best season for a club in Bundesliga history. Bayern, meanwhile, are the best ever second-placed team at this stage of the campaign with 50 points. Never before have the top two in the Bundesliga had so many points combined after 20 games (102).
Bayer 04 are unbeaten in their last two Bundesliga encounters with FCB, winning 2-1 at home in the 2022/23 Rückrunde and drawing 2-2 in the reverse fixture in Munich this season. That draw was the only league game in which Bayern have dropped points after taking the lead this term.
The visitors come into this just two points behind the Werkself. The gap was temporarily extended to four points following their 1-0 loss at home to SV Werder Bremen last month, but three consecutive wins over 1. FC Union Berlin (1-0), FC Augsburg (3-2) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-1) have seen the German record champions close the gap at the top. That's despite having a number of injury problems lately, with Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Alphonso Davies and Konrad Laimer currently sidelined. Joshua Kimmich and Dayot Upamecano are set to return to the squad today, though, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is a doubt. Read more about our opponents in our in-depth profile.
An important ticket notice for today's Bundesliga home match against Bayern: Bayer 04 is actively taking action against the sale of tickets on unofficial platforms. Some sales on unofficial platforms have already been screened and cancelled. Please do not buy tickets via these channels, as we will not be able to grant access to the stadium. If you have already purchased tickets via these channels, please actively contact Bayer 04 and we will look for a solution together. If you want or need to sell your ticket(s) at short notice, please do so via the Bayer 04 ticket exchange.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Felix Zwayer as the referee for today's fixture. The 42-year-old has taken charge of 31 matches involving the Werkself to date. These have resulted in 16 wins for the Red-and-Blacks, six draws and nine defeats. Zwayer will be assisted by Stefan Lupp and Marco Achmülle, with Benjamin Cortus as the VAR.
As in previous years, there will also be a Berliner promotion at this year's home game during carnival. A total of three doughnuts with liverwurst filling will be mixed in with the normal doughnuts at three different kiosks at different times. The three "winners" who get these can look forward to a Werkself jersey including the name of their favourite player. If you receive one of the liverwurst Berliners, you should simply contact the kiosk where you bought the Berliner afterwards.
Those who want to get in the mood for the evening game against the Munich side with fellow Bayer 04 fans can make their way to the BayArena already in the afternoon. The Schwadbud opens at 15:30 CET and will be showing the Bundesliga conference live.
The highly successful and mutually appreciated partnership between Bayer 04 and head coach Xabi Alonso ends after two and a half years. The 43-year-old Spaniard has led the Werkself to three trophies. Above all, winning the first German league title in the club's history will always be associated with the name of Xabi Alonso. The former world class player, who won many hearts in Leverkusen as a person, now says farewell to Bayer 04. We look back at a fantastic time with the Basque who fulfilled the biggest dream of all Bayer 04 fans together with an outstanding team.
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A few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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A cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga club to open and operate a football academy in Brazil. The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo," led by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sérgio, will be established on the Bayer Brazil campus in São Paulo and accommodate up to 300 children and youth ages 5 to 15.
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