Very high volume of traffic around the stadium
The approximately 7,100 Bayer 04 fans who will be cheering on the Werkself at Signal Iduna Park should - if possible - arrive early. In addition to the usual high volume of traffic in the evening rush hour, there are two other major events taking place in Dortmund this evening: the Christmas market and the IHF World Women's Handball Championship match between Germany and the Faroe Islands at 20:30 CET in the Westfalenhalle right next to Signal Iduna Park.
As this means that all parking spaces in the vicinity of the stadium have already been sold, we recommend travelling to the stadium - early - by public transport. Additional special trains have been laid on and there will be unscheduled stops at Signal Iduna Park to supplement the regular services.
#BVBB04: match facts
This is the first ever direct encounter between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself have been solid at Signal Iduna Park of late and are unbeaten in three of their last four matches there. Leverkusen's record against Bundesliga clubs in the cup also raises hopes of a successful evening: the Black & Reds have won eight of their last ten matches against opponents from the top flight. BVB, meanwhile, have struggled in the round of 16 in the recent past and were eliminated at this stage in three of the last four seasons.
If the Leverkusen attack proves to be just as deadly in the clash with the Black & Yellows as it has been in the league to date, not only will Bayer 04's cup journey continue, but the club's current record of 39 cup matches with at least one goal scored will be extended.
focus on BVB
BVB's cup matches have been just as close as their win against the Werkself in the league at the weekend. In the first round, it took until the 79th minute for Serhou Guirassy to bag the winner for his team against Rot-Weiss Essen. The second round match at Eintracht Frankfurt went to penalties. Maximilian Beier, who was absent at the weekend, could return to the home side's attack. Coach Niko Kovać has not been let down by his defence so far in the current cup campaign: Keeper Gregor Kobel and the back line of Nico Schlotterbeck, Waldemar Anton and Aaron Anselmino have conceded just one goal from open play.
Stieler in charge - with VAR and goal-line technology
Tobias Stieler has already refereed 32 games for the Werkself. The last nine games under his direction, all of which Bayer 04 won, included the DFB Pokal round of 16 at SC Paderborn 07 (3-1) almost exactly two years ago and the 3-2 league win at BVB at the beginning of the year. This time, the 44-year-old will be supported by Mark Borsch and Marcel Unger on the touchline, with Christian Dingert taking on VAR duties.
ARD, SKY, Werkself radio and live text updates
The crunch cup tie will be shown live on ARD and its streaming service as well as Sky and its streaming service WOW. If the second leg of the UEFA Women's Nations League final between Germany and Spain (kick-off: 18.30 CET), which will also be broadcast on ARD, goes to extra time or penalties, ARD will only switch to the DFB Cup round of 16 on its TV service after the international has ended. Its free streaming service, however, will show the whole of the cup tie.
Werkself Radio commentators Niko Hartmann and Florian Bechholz will of course also be live at Signal Iduna Park. As always, the audio broadcast will begin half an hour before kick-off. In addition, the live text service will keep you up to date so you don't miss any of the action. Both Werkself Radio and the live text updates can be found at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
