After a tricky start to the season, the German champions stabilised their momentum with nine consecutive wins in all competitions.
Xabi Alonso’s men came into 2025 as they had hoped: Die Werkself overcame Borussia Dortmund their first home league defeat of the season with a 3-2 win at Signal Iduna Park.
Patrik Schick scored a brace in the first 19 minutes to take the score to 11 goals in his last six Bundesliga games.
However, with Florian Wirtz and Exequiel Palacios on the bench after missing the Werkself’s final preparation due to a traffic jam, their preparation for the match is far from ideal.
But that’s all behind them now, as Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has announced that Wirtz will start against Mainz.
With second-placed Leverkusen four points behind Bayern, the 21-year-old could become as important as before as Xabi Alonso’s men look to keep the pressure on the Bavarians.
Team News
Amine Adli (broken leg), Jeanuel Belocian (cruciate ligament) and Victor Boniface (thigh) remain in Leverkusen.
Nordi Mukiele or Nathan Tella make way for Wirtz, while Exequiel Palacios can interfere at the expense of Robert Andrich.
Mainz picked up where the year left off, beating VfL Bochum 2-0 in their first game of 2025.
Jonathan Burkardt, back from injury, scored both goals in the victory, Mainz have won six of their last seven Bundesliga games, adding eye-catching victories over Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt.
That impressive run of effects has seen Bo Henriksen’s side climb to fifth in the standings and they are expected to take some further disappointment when they make a stopover at the champions on Tuesday.
“Of course we know that Leverkusen are a great team,” Mainz coach Bo Henriksen said in the pre-match press conference.
“Despite everything, they won the title last season. But we’re also a smart team and we’ve come up with a plan. We need to play bravely and dynamically, and we will also have to protect ourselves very well. Yes If we do that, tomorrow we will have a smart opportunity.
Team News
Mainz will once again have to turn to their midfield talisman Nadiem Amiri, who remains suspended. Gabriel Vidovic is out with an ankle injury.
Furthermore, Die Nullfünfer looks after the physical fitness of Paul Nebel, victim of a heavy blow against Bochum. If he fails, Hyunseok Hong will take his position in the attacking midfield.
Bundesliga Team of the Week: Matchday 17
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Predicted Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz XIs
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Xabi Alonso promises Wirtz’s start against Mainz and offers updated information on Bonifacio
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Terrier excluded for the season.
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Martin Terrier, until the end of the season with Bayer Leverkusen due to an Achilles tendon injury
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