Pre-match facts: VfB vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Record against Leverkusen

Overall: 86 games. 23 wins, 20 draws, 43 defeats. 107:154 goal difference.

Looking back

The corresponding fixture earlier this season ended 2-0 to Leverkusen. VfB were also beaten 3-1 at home last term, Orel Mangala getting on the scoresheet for the home side, before losing 4-2 in Leverkusen despite Tiago Tomas netting twice on his second Bundesliga appearance.

Attendance

The clash at the Mercedes-Benz Arena is already sold out.

Personnel

Atakan Karazor returns against Leverkusen after serving a one-match suspension last weekend. Thomas Kastanaras has recently undergone surgery on a broken metatarsal and will miss the rest of the campaign, while Konstantinos Mavropanos remains sidelined after suffering a shin injury in the DFB Cup semi-final defeat to Frankfurt.

Visiting coach Xabi Alonso is without the injured Patrik Schick, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Karim Bellarabi.

Suspensions

VfB frontman Silas is currently on four bookings – one away from suspension – as are Leverkusen duo Edmund Tapsoba and Jeremie Frimpong.