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.
There won’t just be plenty of excitement on the pitch as Bayer 04 host Borussia Dortmund at the BayArena at 18:30 CET on Saturday. Outside the stadium there will be collection points for food donations to the Leverkusen Foodbank, which will also benefit from the profits of a jersey raffle in the Fanwelt afterwards. There will also be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the passing of long-time Werkself player Dieter Herzog, before two fan clubs are honoured for their decades-long support at half-time and fans receive a talk about Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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Bayer 04 go into the first of two successive clashes with Borussia Dortmund boosted by their Champions League win at Manchester City. Ahead of the Bundesliga top match on Saturday, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the tight schedule, BVB's strengths and returning squad members.
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Borussia Dortmund are doing very well in terms of points and results in the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League. BVB have only suffered two defeats to date this term. Now coach Niko Kovac's team are away to the Werkself on Saturday night, 29 November (kick-off: 18:30 CET) in the top match on Bundesliga matchday 12. The two teams meet again three days later in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie in Dortmund. Two very competitive encounters are on the cards. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The Bayer 04 Women clcoked up a 3-2 win in a friendly against Twente Enschede on Thursday afternoon in the last international break of 2025. In drizzle, Lilla Turanyi (16’), Kristin Kögel (65’) and Paulina Bartz (69’) scored the goals for the Werkself against the Dutch Eredivisie Vrouwen leaders, who are still unbeaten in the league.
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