Three matches, seven points, top spot. That is the almost perfect record for Bayer 04 from the first three games in the current Europa League campaign. The team under head coach Gerardo Seoane are still unbeaten on the European stage – as are Real Betis: The Green and Whites have the same number of points from the first three games but are behind the Werkself due to an inferior goal difference (8:5) compared with the Werkself (7:2).
There are 14 days between the previous and the forthcoming meetings of the two clubs. Striker Borja Iglesias gave Manuel Pellegrini's team the lead from the penalty spot on 75 minutes in the 1-1 draw. Bayer 04 levelled seven minutes later through Robert Andrich. With almost the last kick of the game, Kerem Demirbay had the chance to make it 2-1 but his shot from ten yards was kept out with an impressive reaction save from the Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
The Andalusian side have played three matches in La Liga since the Europa League clash at the Stadio Benito Villamarin. Immediately after the draw with the Seoane team, Nabil Fekir and Co. overcame Rayo Vallecano with a 3-2 victory in an exciting game at home and that was followed with a convincing 4-1 victory over Valencia in the third home game in succession.
However, Real Betis suffered a defeat on the road last time out: Atlético Madrid were the 3-0 winners last Sunday. Nevertheless, the Green and Whites have moved up three places to fifth place in Spain's top-flight since the last Europa League match against Bayer 04 – their current tally in the league is 21 points from 12 games.
While the Werkself head coach Gerardo Seoane has another player sidelined in Mitchel Bakker (ankle injury), his opposite number Pellegrini has a full squad to choose from for the match at the BayArena.
The Chilean is well known as a fan of rotation: Midfielder Nabil Fekir and striker Borja Iglesias were both on the bench against Atlético. The latter came on as substitute in the closing stages but Fekir did not play.
It is possible the two key players in the Betis attacking game could return to the starting line-up on Thursday. Jonathan Tah and Co. will again have to keep a wary eye on the duo as Fekir and Iglesias have already been involved in eleven goals this season.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-3 loss against Werder Bremen on the 26th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed a conract extension with home-grown talent Sofie Zdebel by a further year ahead of schedule. The 21-year-old Germany U23 international will stay at the club until 30 June 2028.
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Jonas Omlin was given an official send-off ahead of the final Bundesliga game of the season at home to Hamburg. The 32-year-old Swiss goalkeeper joined the Werkself on loan for the second half of the campaign from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the winter.
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Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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