The Werkself are unbeaten in the last 14 league games. Mainz 05 are currently enjoying their second best Bundesliga campaign with 28 points after 16 games. They have won six of the last seven matches. Behind Bayer 04 (19), FSV have the second most points (18) since the start of Matchday 10. Patrik Schick has scored 11 times and the Mainz 05 striker Jonathan Burkhardt has the second highest number with seven goals.
Mainz 05 are scoring for fun at the moment with the team under coach Bo Henriksen netting at least three times in six of their seven away games. In addition, FSV have scored two goals in each of the last seven Bundesliga matches and have thereby set a club record. And talking about goals: Bayer 04 scored goals eight and nine in the first 15 minutes in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund on Friday night and that is the best return in the league. The second highest number of goals in the first 15 minutes of a match have been scored by Mainz (seven).
From almost being relegated last season, and only surviving on the final matchday, to Champions League contenders? FSV Mainz 05 are definitely on an impressive run and have gone through an incredible development over the past few months. The 2-0 win against VfL Bochum last Saturday put Mainz in fourth place for the time being. The reason for the impressive form is, in addition to a convincing attack, a solid defence (the second best in the league together with RB Leipzig and St. Pauli). Further information on Mainz can be found in our lowdown on the next opponents.
For the start of the new year, Bayer 04 are offering fans a 30% discount on selected vegan dishes at the Veggie Corner for the three January home games against Mainz 05, Borussia Mönchengladbach (18.01, 18.30 CET) and Sparta Prague (29.01, 21.00 CET). On offer:
Please note: The discount only applies the above-mentioned products. All other items are charge of the regular prices.
Anyone wanting to discover the latest information ahead of kick-off can take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday magazine, which includes key facts and stats on the match, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online. HERE is the e-paper.
The German Football Association (DFB) has appointed Tobias Welz for tonight's match. The 47-year-old referee has been in charge of 19 games involving the Werkself to date (six wins, four draws, nine defeats). His assistants today are Martin Thomsen and Asmir Osmanagic with Sören Storks in action as the VAR.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky. As ever, supporters unable to be at the match can follow the game on Werkself Radio. The audio broadcast starts 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. In addition, the live text update service will keep fans up-to-date. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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