Leverkusen vs. Werder Bremen: European Ambitions Clash with Relegation Fight
Bayer Leverkusen host Werder Bremen in a crucial Bundesliga encounter with European qualification and relegation survival at stake. The home side seeks to regain consistency, while the visitors desperately need points to escape the drop zone. Both teams face tactical challenges due to several key player injuries.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This Bundesliga Matchday 19 fixture will take place on January 24, 2026, at BayArena in Leverkusen. For the home side, Bayer Leverkusen, currently sitting 6th in the league table, they are positioned in a UEFA Europa League qualification spot and will be aiming to solidify this position or even push for a Champions League berth. Visiting team Werder Bremen faces significant pressure, ranked 13th with 18 points, just a few points above the relegation zone. Every point is crucial for them to create distance from the relegation battle.
Recent Form
Bayer Leverkusen's recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins and three losses in their last five official matches. They suffered defeats against TSG Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart but secured victories against RB Leipzig and FC Köln. Werder Bremen's form has been more challenging, failing to secure a win in their last five outings, registering three draws and two losses. Their most recent result was a 3-3 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, following a 0-3 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Key Players & Injury News
Key offensive players for Bayer Leverkusen include Patrik Schick, who has scored 6 goals, and Alejandro Grimaldo, an influential figure in attack with 4 assists and 26 key passes. However, Leverkusen is grappling with a significant injury crisis: goalkeeper Mark Flekken (knee injury, out until early March), forward Nathan Tella (foot injury, out until mid-February), Eliesse Ben Seghir (ankle injury, out until mid-February), and defender Edmond Tapsoba (muscle injury, out until early February) are all sidelined. For Werder Bremen, midfielder Jens Stage has netted 6 goals, while Romano Schmid has been a creative force with 5 assists and 45 key passes. Unfortunately, Werder Bremen also has a long injury list; striker Victor Boniface, on loan from Leverkusen, has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season due to a knee injury. Other notable absentees include Mitchell Weiser (cruciate ligament injury, out until late March), Felix Agu (ankle injury, out until late January), Maximilian Wöber (muscle injury, out until late January), and Niklas Stark (hip injury, out until early February).