The Werkself have won three of the last four Bundesliga meetings with Leipzig, which is more wins than in the first 13 league encounters combined (two). However, Leverkusen were beaten the last time the sides met for Bayer 04’s sole defeat in their last 52 Bundesliga fixtures (W40, D11).
Leipzig have 31 points on the board after 18 games this season. They have only had fewer at this stage of a top-flight campaign in 2021/22 (25). As for Leverkusen, they’re enjoying their second-best start to a Bundesliga season with 41 points, with only last year’s haul of 48 able to top that.
It’s been a very up-and-down season so far for fifth-placed Leipzig. Things started well in the Bundesliga, but they ended up suffering some heavy defeats towards the mid-point, including a 5-1 loss at Bayern Munich. Last weekend, Marco Rose’s men threw away a 3-0 lead for the first time in their Bundesliga history to be held at Bochum. “It isn’t just today but quite frequently this season that we’ve been too naive. We’re jeopardising our goals,” the coach bemoaned afterwards. Find out more about Leipzig in our in-depth analysis.
There are set to be 2,900 Werkself fans supporting the team in Leipzig today. We’ve got all the key information for everyone in attendance HERE.
The German FA (DFB) have appointed Bastian Dankert to oversee this game in Leipzig. The 44-year-old has previously taken charge of 15 competitive fixtures involving the Werkself (W8, D1, L6). His assistants are René Rohde and Marcel Unger. Felix Zwayer is the VAR.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.
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The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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