Bayer Leverkusen vs. Mainz 05 preview: Die Werkself attempting to keep pace in top-four race

With significant stakes at both ends of the table, neither side can afford a misstep. Kasper Hjulmand’s Leverkusen are chasing Champions League qualification, while Urs Fischer’s Mainz remain nervously glancing over their shoulders in the relegation battle.

Leverkusen made an encouraging start to 2026 under Hjulmand, shaking off an early setback to put together a five-match unbeaten run in the league. That resurgence has kept them firmly in the hunt for fourth place, currently sitting sixth and trailing RB Leipzig and Stuttgart in what is shaping up to be a tight race for the final Champions League berth.

However, their momentum stalled last weekend in a disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Union Berlin. A blunt attacking display saw Die Werkself manage just one shot on target in a subdued performance.

Their struggles in the final third continued in midweek European action, where another lacklustre offensive showing resulted in a 0-0 draw. The stalemate was enough to seal progression to the Champions League Round of 16, but Hjulmand admitted afterwards that his side were “lacking a bit of energy” and stressed the need “to do better”.

A relentless schedule has tested even the deepest squads this season, and with limited recovery time, Leverkusen must quickly rediscover their sharpness as they return to domestic action.

Despite tangible improvement under Fischer, Mainz remain precariously positioned in 13th place - just two points clear of the relegation play-off spot. With the bottom half tightly packed, every result carries added weight.

A promising three-game winning streak has given way to a slight wobble, with only one point taken from their last two outings. That draw came in a spirited Friday night clash at the Mewa Arena against the recently promoted HSV.

The in-form Nadiem Amiri netted his seventh league goal under Fischer, but Fabio Vieira’s heavily deflected free-kick denied the 05ers all three points, forcing them to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Fischer is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge awaiting his side:

“We need to have a very good day if we want to come out of there with something and we have to do our homework. Leverkusen are a possession-focused team with high passing quality and a lot of pace.”

The reverse fixture in October delivered a dramatic 4-3 victory for Leverkusen, with Martin Terrier striking in the 87th minute to guarantee all three points despite a late Armindo Sieb consolation.

Leverkusen have been strong at the BayArena, remaining unbeaten at home since 10 January. By contrast, Mainz have managed just two away league victories all season. Saturday’s encounter marks the first meeting between Hjulmand and Fischer, while the Mainz coach has won only one of his previous ten matches against Leverkusen.

Team news 

Bayer Leverkusen: Mark Flekken, Nathan Tella, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Lucas Vázquez and Malik Tillman are ruled out. Edmond Tapsoba and Martin Terrier are expected to be available.

Mainz 05: Stefan Bell, Benedict Hollerbach, Robin Zentner, Sota Kawasaki and Andreas Hanche-Olsen remain sidelined. Nelson Weiper is a doubt due to illness, while Nikolas Veratschnig will miss out after falling ill midweek. Silvan Widmer is available again following suspension.

Predicted lineups 

Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-2-1): Blaswich (GK) - Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba - Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo - Maza, Poku - Schick 

Mainz 05 (3-5-2): Batz (GK) - Posch, Potulski, Kohr - da Costa, Amiri, Sano, J-S Lee, Widmer - Silas, Tietz