Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz – News and Probable Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen faces a critical match against visitors Mainz 05 at Bay Arena on Saturday, as they risk falling behind the Bundesliga top four.

Currently in sixth place with 39 points, the hosts could end the weekend seven points behind fourth-placed Stuttgart, while Mainz, in 13th, have gathered 22 points after drawing 1-1 with Hamburgo SV on February 20.

Match overview

Leverkusen experienced a setback with a 1-0 loss to Union Berlin on February 21, managing only a single shot on target during that match. They also had just one shot on target in their recent goalless draw against Olympiacos on Tuesday.

Previously this season, the club had managed only one match with one or fewer shots on target, but they have successfully kept three clean sheets in their last four games.

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand’s squad will face four teams from the bottom eight in their next six Bundesliga matches, while their final six fixtures will see them take on four of the top 10, including RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, and Stuttgart.

Die Werkself have been a tough competitor in recent weeks, with the loss to Union being their only defeat since January 26, a period in which they won six times and drew twice.

The draw against Olympiacos extended their unbeaten run at Bay Arena to five matches, but they couldn’t secure a victory in their fifth straight home match.

Mainz effectively restricted Hamburgo to long-range attempts and would have claimed victory if Fabio Vieira had not converted a free kick in the 64th minute.

Urs Fischer’s team has managed one loss and one draw in their last two Bundesliga fixtures; however, they have still earned 10 points from the last 15 available, scoring eight goals while conceding seven in that time.

Despite this sequence of positive results, the club sits only two points clear of 16th-placed St Pauli, who are in the relegation playoff position.

The visitors are aiming to end a five-match winless streak against Leverkusen and will be looking to get revenge for their 4-3 loss in the previous encounter from October 2025.

Die Nullfunfer need to improve when playing away, having secured only one win from their last 11 matches on the road and suffering seven defeats in that span.

Team News

With centre-back Loic Bade managing a thigh issue, Leverkusen is likely to field midfielder Robert Andrich in defence once more, partnering him with Jarell Quansah and Edmond Tapsoba.

Aleix Garcia played in a double pivot against Olympiacos, and if he keeps his spot, he could line up next to Ezequiel Fernandez.

Forwards Eliesse Ben Seghir (ankle) and Nathan Tella (foot) will miss out, although striker Patrik Schick is fit to participate on Saturday.

Mainz is facing injuries to key players, including centre-back Stefan Bell, goalkeeper Robin Zentner, and forward Benedict Hollerbach.

Daniel Batz is likely to take his place in goal, potentially shielded by a back three consisting of Dominik Kohr, Stefan Posch, and Kacper Potulski.

The visitors may opt for a striking partnership of Silas and Phillip Tietz, who were both included in the starting line-up last time.

Bayer Leverkusen probable starting XI:

Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick

Mainz 05 probable starting XI:

Batz; Kohr, Posch, Potulski; Da Costa, Lee, Sano, Amiri, Widmer; Silas, Tietz