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.
This afternoon, Saturday 24 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET), Bayer 04 host SV Werder Bremen, who are winless in their last seven league games. Nevertheless, in their last outing, a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they conceded a late equaliser, the Green and Whites did show their team spirit. The Werkself, led by birthday boy Patrik Schick, will be looking to counter this and secure their first three points of the new year on this ‘!Never Again’ remembrance matchday to commemorate the victims of National Socialism. Read on for the latest information in today's matchday news.
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Happy birthday, Patrik Schick! On his special day, it's not just the Czech striker who can look forward to lots of presents and hopefully many more goals – Bayer 04 fans can also get their hands on a free number 14 print when they buy a Werkself jersey today, January 24! In addition, a match-worn jersey belonging to the now 30-year-old will be raffled off among all purchasers next week.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win at 1. FC Union Berlin on the 15th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Despite a severely depleted squad and being a player down, the Bayer 04 Women made a winning start to their 2026 campaign. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team won 2-1 at newly promoted FC Union Berlin on Friday night thanks to a last-minute goal. Vanessa Fudalla scored from a direct free-kick (78') and Kristin Kögel (90+2’) in stoppage time for the Werkself, who were reduced to ten players on 68 minutes, on an atmospheric stage at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. As a result, the Black and Reds are now fifth in the table for at least one night at the start of matchday 15.
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The Werkself are looking for the first win of the new calendar year: Ahead of the sold-out Bundesliga home match against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, 24 January (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about taking chances, possible winter transfers and a “Lion" returning to the Leverkusen matchday squad.
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