Matchday news #RBLB04: Final game of the year

#RBLB04: Match facts

Fans can expect a goal-filled and eventful evening if the last few encounters with these teams are anything to go by. Both Leverkusen and Leipzig have scored at least two goals in each of the last four meetings with each other, producing a total of 19 goals (4.8 per game). This season, only Bayern Munich (51) have scored more goals in the Bundesliga than Bayer 04 (30) and Leipzig (29, same as Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim). Make sure you’re in your seat early on as well, as the Werkself and Die Roten Bullen lead the division for goals in the first 15 minutes of games with six each. At the other end, though, Saturday’s hosts are the only team in the Bundesliga yet to concede in the opening quarter of an hour, with Leverkusen shipping just one.

Focus on Leipzig

Despite a big summer of change, Leipzig have enjoyed an excellent campaign so far. After a seventh-place finish in 2024/25 – their worst in the Bundesliga – the club missed out on European qualification for the first time since their top-flight arrival in 2016/17. This term, though, they have won all six home league fixtures and are the only team in Europe’s top five leagues alongside Barcelona (nine games) to boast a 100 percent record on their own patch. Ole Werner’s side were dominant last matchday but ended up losing 3-1 at Union Berlin. Their only previous defeats this season came at Bayern (6-0) and Hoffenheim (3-1).

As with the Werkself, who have lost four players to Africa Cup of Nations duty, Leipzig will also be without two players on Saturday in rising star Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) and Malian midfielder Amadou Haidara. The former will be a particularly big loss, given his joint-team-leading six goals alongside Christoph Baumgartner. Find out more about Leipzig in our in-depth opposition profile.

2,300 travelling supporters in Leipzig

The Werkself can count on the support of 2,300 Leverkusen fans at the Red Bull Arena.

Brand in charge

The German FA (DFB) has appointed Benjamin Brand to oversee this final game of the year. The 36-year-old has previously taken charge of nine matches involving the Werkself, who have won seven, drawn one and lost one. The most recent was the 3-0 victory over Elversberg in the second round of the DFB Pokal in October 2024. Brand’s assistants are Thomas Stein and Marco Achmüller. Robert Hartmann is the VAR.