Bayer 04 have had the edge in this fixture in recent years, winning 11 out of the last 14 Bundesliga meetings (D1, L2), which is the most the Werkself has won against any opponent since the start of 2018. Conversely, no other team has beaten Mainz more often in that period. Leverkusen have won each of the last three, but they face a 05ers team on a run of 12 home games unbeaten in the Bundesliga, which equals their club record and is currently the best streak in Germany’s top flight.
In fact, it’s been a very good season for Mainz in general. They boast 51 points from 33 games, which is the second-highest total in their Bundesliga history (55 in 2010/11). They are also on course to qualify for Europe for just the fourth time in their history, having last done so in 2016.
Their continental fate is more or less in their own hands on the final day. A win over the Werkself all but assures them a place in the UEFA Conference League play-offs. And if things were to really go their way, there’s even a chance they could overtake Borussia Dortmund into fifth and play in the UEFA Europa League.
It’s been a wild 12 months for Mainz. Last season they survived relegation by the skin of their teeth, but this term they were actually pushing for UEFA Champions League qualification. Bo Henriksen’s side have been solid at the back, boasting the joint-third-best defence in the division with 41 goals conceded (same as Leverkusen). Up front, Jonathan Burkardt’s 17 goals place him fourth in the Bundesliga scoring chart, while he’s formed an impressive trio alongside Paul Nebel (nine goals, six assists) and Jae-Sung Lee (seven goals, nine assists). Former Werkself man Nadiem Amiri makes things happen in midfield with his seven goals and six assists. Find out more about today’s opponents HERE.
Some 3,500 supporters will be making their way from Leverkusen to Mainz to cheer on the team. You can find all the latest information for travelling fans HERE.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Tobias Reichel to oversee the final game of the season. The 39-year-old has previously taken charge of six competitive fixtures involving the Werkself (W4, D1, L1). His assistants are Christian Bandurski and Marcel Pelgrim; Matthias Jöllenbeck is the VAR.
“Year after year, this is an incredibly valuable gathering, both in terms of the content covered and the opportunity for mutual discussion,” stressed Bayer 04 goalkeeping coach David Thiel in his welcoming address at this year’s goalkeeping coaches’ meeting. This was the third time in four seasons that the event had been held at the BayArena. Organised by the German Football Association (DFB), the meeting brought together goalkeeping coaches from the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and the 3rd division from the west region. For the first time this year, goalkeeping coaches from the youth performance centres (NLZ) were also present. Bayer 04 fitness coach Markus Müller provided fascinating insights into the specific fitness training carried out with the Werkself’s goalkeepers.
Show more
It was another incredibly close call in the end: The second showdown in the 2026/27 VBL Club Championship saw the #B04eSports team once again narrowly miss out on a place in the top 16 of the preliminary round – and with it, a spot in the in-person knockout stage. It was a bitter blow: Marc and Sean Landwehr again fell just short, despite being level on points with their rivals. As was the case last month, their weaker record across the twelve individual matches in the six preliminary round fixtures proved decisive.
Show more
“They stuck with us over the past few weeks when things weren’t going so well,” said captain Edmond Tapsoba, thanking the fans for their support after the 2–1 win in Cologne and dedicating the derby victory to them. Throughout the 90 minutes, the Werkself had looked unfazed and in command, inflicting the first home defeat of the season on FC Köln. It was the sixth consecutive win against the Cologne team for Bayer 04 – head coach Carles Martínez, on the other hand, was facing the team from the neighbouring city for the first time and “now really knows what this derby win means”. The Werkself derby review.
Show more
Following the 2–1 derby victory away at FC Köln on Bundesliga matchday 9, Edmond Tapsoba, Malik Tillman and Aleix Garcia spoke to Werkself TV...
Show more
Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-1 derby win at 1. FC Köln Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
Show more
