The Werkself have won back-to-back Bundesliga games against Leipzig for the first time, although both came at the BayArena (2-0 and 3-2). On the road, it’s only two wins from seven encounters. However, Leipzig – usually so impressive at home – were beaten 1-0 by Eintracht Frankfurt at the Red Bull Arena last weekend, ending their run of 12 home league games unbeaten. The only time in their top flight history that Die Roten Bullen have lost consecutive home fixtures was in April 2018 under Ralph Hasenhüttl. One of the opponents back then was in fact Leverkusen, who claimed a 4-1 victory in Saxony.
Saturday’s hosts come into the game in fourth place on 33 points. They are also through to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, but the two-time defending DFB Cup holders are out of that competition after a second-round defeat at Wolfsburg. Marco Rose’s side have dealt well with a large turnover of players in the summer. Lois Openda and Xavi Simons in particular have proven to be good transfers. The former has 11 goals and five assists from 17 Bundesliga games, while Simons boasts 13 goal contributions, of which nine are assists, ranking him joint-second in the division in that category. You can find out more about today’s opponents in our profile piece.
The Werkself will enjoy plenty of support in Leipzig with 2,900 Leverkusen fans making the journey. For those supporters in attendance, the Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team has summarised everything you need to know about today’s game at the Red Bull Arena HERE, including information on how to get there and who to speak to if required.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Matthias Jöllenbeck as today’s referee. The 36-year-old has overseen three Werkself fixtures across all competitions before, with one win and two draws. His assistants are Robert Kemper and Jonas Weickenmeier. The VAR is Benjamin Brand.
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 update service will keep you up-to-date to ensure you don't miss any of the key match action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text update service are available on bayer04.de and in the Bayer 04 app.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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