Last Friday's opening fixture of the second half of the Bundesliga campaign witnessed a free-kick goal from James Rodriguez that sealed a 3-1 win for league leaders FC Bayern. The strike from the Colombian finally put paid to a run of 14 games without defeat (eight wins, six draws) for the Werkself. It was also the first defeat for coach Heiko Herrlich with Bayer 04 at the BayArena.
One Black and Red run did carry on. However, it is not very positive. In the game against the record champions from Munich, Leverkusen conceded goals number 13 and 14 (out of a total of 26) from set pieces this term. That means Bernd Leno and Co. have let in more than half of the goals conceded from dead-ball situations (54%). Hard to accept. Herrlich's team will do all they can in Sinsheim on Saturday to defend better at set pieces.
A look at the Bundesliga record against TSG provides reasons to be hopeful: Bayer 04 have won 13 of the previous 19 meetings in the league (three draws, three defeats) – the best return for the Werkself against teams currently in the top flight (68 per cent). But be aware: In the last four matches, the Black and Reds have only picked up two points (two draws, two defeats). The home form of TSG cannot be ignored either: Hoffenheim only suffered defeat on their own turf once in the Bundesliga in 2017 . That was at the end of October against Borussia Mönchengladbach (1-3) on matchday ten, when the TSG coach Julian Nagelsmann threw a drinks bottle in the direction of the stands in a fit of pique.
The fixture between these two teams has yet to end in a goalless draw. The average of three goals per game could well promise more excitement on Saturday. Especially as the hosts – including Europa League matches – have scored in front of their own fans in all of the 13 home games this season (a total of 21 goals, including 16 in the Bundesliga). At the same time, Bayer 04 will not need to sit back: The Werkself have scored at least one goal in all of the last 23 Bundesliga matches. That is currently by far the longest such run in the league. That means the Werkself are just one goal away from equalling the club record (24 games in the period between October 1999 and May 2000).
The trip to Sinsheim represents a return to a former club for Kevin Volland and reserve keeper Rambo Özcan. Volland played for TSG Hoffenheim from 2012 to 2016 (144 games, 36 goals, 23 assists) before moving on to Leverkusen. Özcan was at the Sinsheim club from January 2008 to the summer of 2011 (29 appearances) and was in the squad that won promotion to the Bundesliga in 2008. And several Germany internationals on both sides will be reunited: Together with Bernd Leno, Julian Brandt and Benjamin Henrichs, Hoffenheim's Kerem Demirbay won the Confed Cup in the summer, Dominik Kohr and Hoffenheim's Nadiem Amiri won the U21 European Championships in 2017. Moreover: Kohr made his Bundesliga debut in Sinsheim in April 2012 in 1-0 win for Bayer 04.
After the pre-match press conference at 11.00 CET and the last training session on Friday afternoon, the Werkself will set off on the 300-kilometre journey to the team hotel in Bad Schönborn in north-west Baden-Württemberg at around 15.00 CET. The team meeting in the evening will be followed on Saturday morning by breakfast and a communal walk before later setting off after an afternoon rest to the Wirsol Rhein Neckar Arena. The #TSGB04 match kicks off two hours later. The Werkself will play in red and the hosts in blue.
All Bayer 04 fans, unable to follow the Werkself to Sinsheim, do not have to miss out on getting behind the team amongst fellow Black and Red support at the Schwadbud: The fan pub in the East Stand at the BayArena, as is usual with away fixtures, is open for fans to watch the game together. The doors open one hour before the kick-off at 14.30 CET: Come on down and join other Bayer 04 fans in cheering on the Werkself against the North Baden team. Here we go, Black and Red.
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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