Wiesbaden vs. Bayer Leverkusen – News and Probable Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen will be eager to bypass any potential embarrassment on Saturday as they head to Wehen Wiesbaden’s BRITA-Arena for the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

The home side will recognize the hefty challenge they face this weekend, particularly since they play in a lower division than Leverkusen, who will be aiming for greater consistency in the 2026-27 season.

Match overview

Wehen Wiesbaden is currently competing in the 3. Liga in Germany, marking this campaign as the sixth time in seven seasons that they find themselves in the third tier.

After two matchweeks, the club finds itself at the bottom of the table in 20th place with no points and already has conceded seven goals.

Throughout their 14 DFB-Pokal appearances since the start of the century, they have faced early exits in the first round nine times, with only one instance of advancing beyond the second round.

Head coach Daniel Scherning’s only home match this season ended in a 3-1 loss to Preussen Munster on August 8, while his team has also experienced three losses, one draw, and a single victory in their last five matches at Wehen Wiesbaden.

Bayer Leverkusen has a solid relationship with the DFB-Pokal in recent years, having won the trophy in the 2023-24 season, and they reached the semi-finals in each of the following two seasons.

Carles Martinez has yet to manage a competitive match as the head coach of the club, but he will hope to have a longer tenure than his predecessors Erik ten Hag and Kasper Hjulmand, who were both dismissed in September 2025 and June 2026, respectively.

The visitors completed the 2025-26 Bundesliga season in sixth place, qualifying for the Europa League, though their 68 goals scored were their lowest total in three years.

Die Werkself played seven friendlies over the summer, securing triumph in six of those matches, with their latest victory coming in a 2-1 win against Newcastle United on August 15.

Leverkusen proved challenging opponents on the road last season, especially towards the end of the campaign, winning three, drawing two, and losing only once in their last six away games.

Team News

Wehen Wiesbaden is expected to field a competitive starting XI, with players like Jordy Gillekens, Jakob Lewald, and Justin Janitzek likely to feature in a three-man defence.

The midfield duo of David Suarez and Tarik Gozusirin will need to provide a solid foundation for the attacking trio, which may include number nine Moritz Flotho.

Bayer Leverkusen will aim to launch their season with strength, so anticipate a blend of experienced players and youth, with regulars like Edmond Tapsoba and Loic Bade possibly included in defence.

In midfield, Aleix Garcia may be paired with teenager Kenan Doganay, who made a substitute appearance in the game against Newcastle.

Striker Christian Kofane might be primed for a more significant role throughout the 2026-27 season, and could earn a spot in the starting lineup on Saturday.

Wehen Wiesbaden probable starting XI:

Stritzel; Gillekens, Lewald, Janitzek; Hercher, Suarez, Gozusirin, Greilinger; Allah, Karweina; Flotho

Bayer Leverkusen probable starting XI:

Sharp; Vazquez, Bade, Tapsoba, Hawighorst; Garcia, Doganay; Maza, Tillman, Moreira; Coffee

Wehen Wiesbaden will undoubtedly do their utmost to make Saturday’s fixture a challenging encounter for the visitors.

Nonetheless, it is hard to foresee an outcome other than a victory for Bayer Leverkusen, given the clear disparity in quality and resources between the two clubs.