Key Takeaways
- Bayer Leverkusen sit sixth in the Bundesliga and trail the top four by two points.
- RB Leipzig hold third place and can secure Champions League football with a victory on Saturday.
- The hosts won the reverse fixture 3-1 in December, but Leipzig claimed a dramatic 3-2 win at this venue last August.
Bayer Leverkusen face a vital test in their pursuit of a top-four finish when they host RB Leipzig at the BayArena this weekend. The home side currently occupy sixth position in the Bundesliga table. They remain two points behind both Hoffenheim and Stuttgart, who sit in fifth and fourth place respectively.
The Werkself have gathered momentum during the closing stages of the campaign. They have collected three victories from their last four league matches. Their most recent result was a 2-1 triumph against FC Köln in the derby. Patrik Schick scored both goals in that away win at the RheinEnergieStadion.
However, Leverkusen have struggled on their own patch recently. They have won only one of their previous four home league matches. Their last outing at the BayArena ended in a 2-1 loss to Augsburg. That defeat marked their first home setback in the Bundesliga since January.
The hosts can draw inspiration from their meeting with Leipzig earlier this season. They recorded a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture back in December. A similar result on Saturday would help them close the gap on their rivals. Stuttgart and Hoffenheim play each other this weekend, guaranteeing that Leverkusen can gain ground on at least one of them.
Team news presents mixed fortunes for the hosts. Lucas Vázquez and Martin Terrier remain sidelined through injury. However, goalkeeper Mark Flekken is expected to return after missing the Köln match.
RB Leipzig travel to Leverkusen in excellent form. Die Roten Bullen have won seven of their last eight league matches. They are currently on a five-game winning streak. Their most recent success was a 3-1 home win against Union Berlin. Max Finkgräfe, Rômulo Cardoso and Ridle Baku found the net in that victory.
The visitors hold a comfortable position in third place. They are five points clear of Stuttgart and Hoffenheim. They also enjoy a six-point advantage over Saturday’s opponents. With just three matches remaining, a win at the BayArena would guarantee Leipzig a place in next season’s Champions League.
The away side have happy memories of their previous trip to Leverkusen. They came from two goals down to win 3-2 at this stadium in August 2024. They now aim to secure consecutive away victories against Leverkusen for the first time in their history.
Leipzig face several selection problems. Leopold Zingerle, Suleman Sani, Viggo Gebel and Ezekiel Banzuzi are all unavailable due to injury.