The Werkself have played 04 home games in Europe this season, winning all of them and scoring at least three goals in the process (17 in total). Should Leverkusen repeat the feat against West Ham, they would equal the competition record which saw Chelsea win five straight home games by scoring at least three goals in the 2018/19 campaign.
However, it’s not just at the BayArena where Bayer 04 have impressed in Europe this season. Their eight fixtures in the competition for 2023/24 have brought seven wins and one draw, scoring 24 times. The only years in which Leverkusen have scored more continental goals were in the 1994/95 UEFA Cup (26) and in the 2001/02 Champions League runners-up campaign (29).
Our English opponents do appear to have the means to defend against this Werkself attack, having conceded the fewest goals of all teams who started the Europa League in the group stage (five). In fact, the Hammers have let in only one goal in their last five continental fixtures. They have also allowed the fewest clear-cut chances in the competition this season with nine; Bayer 04 rank second in that regard with 12.
Mark Noble, who took over as West Ham’s sporting director in January 2023, said looking ahead to facing Leverkusen: “Their unbeaten run is incredible. They also have lots of top players in their side and a fantastic coach.” But the Hammers’ record appearance holder with 414 Premier League games also added: “We’ve got no fear. We’ve gained a lot of experience in Europe in recent years. And someone has to beat them at some point, so why not us? They’ll be entertaining games, I’m sure.”
The weekend’s 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers was only their fourth competitive victory of this year from 17 fixtures, also losing six and drawing seven in 2024. However, things are going much better this season for the club from London’s East End than 2022/23. With six games left to go, David Moyes’ side are already eight points better off than their final total last season as they finished 14. Find out more about today’s opponents in our opposition profile.
UEFA have appointed Artur Dias of Portugal to oversee this first leg. The 44-year-old has previously overseen two Werkself fixtures, producing one win (2-0 away at Ferencvaros) and one defeat (1-0 away at Atletico Madrid). His assistants are compatriots Paulo Soares and Pedro Ribeiro. The VAR is Tiago Martins.
Anyone wanting to read key information before the game should take a look at the new Werkself Live. The matchday programme, offering the most important facts and stats on the game in compact form, is available at the BayArena. Alternatively it is available free online HERE.
As usual, Werkself Radio is available for anybody unable to be at today’s game. The German audio broadcast begins 30 minutes before kick-off with commentary provided by Niko Hartmann and Cedric Pick. 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 updates are available at bayer04.de and on the Bayer 04 app.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 4-0 win at SGS Essen on the 24th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 put in a brilliant performance to beat RB Leipzig 4-1 on Bundesliga matchday 32 and are now fourth in a Champions League spot. The Black and Reds took control of the game right from the start and, with 75 per cent possession at one stage, took a 2-0 lead into the break through Patrik Schick (25’) and Nathan Tella (45+1’). The visitors initially tried to do more after the break, but the Werkself remained determined and Schick scored his second goal to increase the lead to 3-0 (76'). The Red Bulls pulled a goal back through Christoph Baumgartner (80'), but the disciplined Leverkusen side were not rattled - and certainly not Schick: The Czechia international crowned a brilliant display with his third goal shortly before the final whistle to make the final score 4-1.
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In the previous game against RB Leipzig in December last year, the Werkself turned came from behind to win 3-1 and further improved Leverkusen's already strong record against the Red Bulls. Montrell Culbreath stood out with his first goal on his debut for the Black and Reds. While the 18-year-old would certainly like to score a second goal against Leipzig on Saturday night, the attack-minded visitors come to the BayArena in confident mood after five Bundesliga victories in a row. The Nordkurve12 supporters group knows the Werkself will therefore once again be reliant on the vociferous support of the fans, and has once again called for the ‘Finally Red’ campaign in the run-in. Today’s matchday news.
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Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the German Football League (DFL), announced the top male and female selections for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season this week. Bayer 04 striker Vanessa Fudalla is in the starting eleven of the women's "Team of the Season". Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia have been selected as bench players in the men's team.
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