Leverkusen Seeks Form Reboot Against Bremen in Bundesliga Clash
LEVERKUSEN, January 24, 2026 – Sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen will aim to halt a concerning slide in form when they welcome 14th-placed Werder Bremen to the BayArena for a Bundesliga Matchday 19 encounter this afternoon. Under pressure from manager Kasper Hjulmand, the hosts are looking to rediscover a clinical edge after consecutive defeats in league and European competition.
Teams in Contrasting Form
Leverkusen’s season has hit a rough patch at the turn of the year. After a strong first half of the campaign that saw them in the European qualification spots, Die Werkself have lost three of their last four matches across all competitions. This includes a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Olympiacos on Tuesday and a 1-0 Bundesliga loss at Hoffenheim last weekend. In contrast, Werder Bremen are unbeaten in their last two league outings, having drawn 3-3 with Eintracht Frankfurt and 0-0 with St. Pauli, showing improved resilience after a difficult period.
Key Facts & Team News
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. SV Werder Bremen |
| Competition | German Bundesliga, Matchday 19 |
| Date & Time | Saturday, January 24, 2026, 9:30 AM EST (14:30 UTC) |
| Venue | BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany |
| Referee | Tobias Reichel |
| Current Standings | Leverkusen: 6th (29 pts). Bremen: 14th (18 pts). |
| Key Absences (Leverkusen) | Mark Flekken (GK, knee), Edmond Tapsoba (muscle), Eliesse Ben Seghir (ankle), Nathan Tella (foot). |
| Key Absences (Bremen) | Leonardo Bittencourt (muscle), Olivier Deman (ankle), Salim Musah (thigh), Maximilian Wöber (hip), Niklas Stark (hip), Felix Agu (ankle), Mitchell Weiser (knee). |
Tactical Preview and Predicted Lineups
With first-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken injured until early March, Janis Blaswich is expected to start in goal for Leverkusen. Hjulmand is likely to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation, relying on the goal threat of Patrik Schick (6 league goals) and the creativity of wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo (5 goals, 4 assists). Werder Bremen, under Ole Werner, are predicted to use a 3-5-2 setup, with top scorer Jens Stage (6 goals) and Justin Njinmah providing the attacking thrust.
Predicted Leverkusen XI (3-4-2-1): Blaswich; Andrich, Badé, Quansah; Poku, Maza, García, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Tillman; Schick.
Predicted Bremen XI (3-5-2): Backhaus; Pieper, Friedl, Coulibaly; Sugawara, Schmid, Lynen, Stage, Schmidt; Njinmah, Milosevic.
Historical Context and Head-to-Head
Historically, Leverkusen has held a slight upper hand in this fixture. In 70 meetings since 1992, Leverkusen have won 24 times to Bremen’s 22, with 24 draws. However, recent history is mixed. The last meeting in August 2025 ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Leverkusen famously thrashed Bremen 5-0 at home in April 2024 under former coach Xabi Alonso, a period which saw the club achieve an historic unbeaten domestic season and a first-ever Bundesliga title. The current squad, under new management, is in a very different phase of its development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Leverkusen vs. Werder Bremen start?
The Bundesliga match kicks off at 9:30 AM Eastern Standard Time (2:30 PM local time in Germany) on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Where can I watch the game in the United States?
Bundesliga matches are broadcast on ESPN+ in the United States. Check your local listings for the specific channel or streaming availability.
Who is Bayer Leverkusen’s top scorer this season?
Czech striker Patrik Schick is Leverkusen’s leading scorer in the Bundesliga this season with 6 goals from 13 appearances.
Is this the same Leverkusen team that went unbeaten in 2023/24?
No. While some players remain, that historic “Invincibles” season was masterminded by coach Xabi Alonso, who has since departed. The current team, under Kasper Hjulmand, is in a rebuilding phase and has struggled for consistency this season.