The Werkself’s most recent competitive defeat came in Bochum on Matchday 34 of last season. Leverkusen have since gone 49 fixtures in all competitions without a loss. Should Xabi Alonso’s side return home without defeat again today, they would become only the third team in Bundesliga history to complete a campaign without losing away from home, after the Bayern Munich sides of 1986/87 and 2012/13.
However, the Werkself will come up against a tough nut to crack in Bochum, who lead the Bundesliga in statistics such as challenges and aerial duels won. VfL have also won 13 points more at home (23) than they’ve done on their travels (10). The hosts also need a result here for their own cause. They can no longer face automatic relegation, but a loss will still leave them at risk of having to contest the play-off to stay up.
The Ruhr club have been battling hard to ensure their survival, claiming a thrilling 4-3 win away at Union Berlin last week. Interim head coach Heiko Butscher called the relegation six-pointer a “really mad football game that showed what football’s about and why it’s a sport we love so much”. Butscher took over the side from Thomas Letsch some four weeks ago and has earned seven points in four games, which is one more than the team had managed in the previous 10 outings. VfL beat Hoffenheim 3-2 at home the week before, meaning they have recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season and first time in over a year. Find out more about Bochum in our opposition profile.
The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team has summarised everything the 2,800 Leverkusen fans travelling to Bochum need to know HERE.
The German FA (DFB) has appointed Benjamin Brand as the referee in Bochum. The 34-year-old has overseen seven previous Bayer 04 fixtures, producing five wins, a draw and one defeat. Brand’s assistants are Thomas Stein and Martin Thomsen. The VAR is Tobias Welz.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today's game. The audio broadcast in German begins 30 minutes before kick-off. In addition, the live text commentary will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Werkself Radio and the live text commentary are both available on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app.
FC Augsburg are top of the table for the first time in their Bundesliga history. After two wins for starters, FCA lead the German top-flight with six points and a goal difference of 7 to 1. This Saturday, 12 September (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), Augsburg are looking to build on their strong start to the season against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed the kick-off times for the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal on Thursday. Bayer 04 will meet 1. FC Nürnberg on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET.
Show more
This Wednesday afternoon, the German Football Association (DFB) announced the exact kick-off times for Matchday 6 in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. According to the fixture list, the Bayer 04 Women’s home match against Werder Bremen will be played on Friday, 2 October, at 18:30 CEST.
Show more
Just in time for the start of the school year, everyone was hard at work again at NaturGut Ophoven. For the 21st time, Bayer 04 have supported the annual ‘BioBrotbox’ campaign, which puts together a healthy breakfast for first-year primary school pupils in Leverkusen – and not only contributed 1,904 muesli bars but also plenty of enthusiasm too: Together with the U19 players Burak Kir and Clinton Wilson, Emily Wallrabenstein and Paulina Platner from the Women’s Bundesliga team helped with the packing. The latter was clearly delighted “that Bayer 04 are helping out with regional projects like this and showing their commitment to the local community”.
Show more
