After a tricky start to the season, the German champions have stabilised their momentum with nine consecutive wins in all competitions.
Xabi Alonso’s men reached 2025 as they expected: Die Werkself overcame Borussia Dortmund its first defeat of the season in the local league with a 3-2 victory at Signal Iduna Park.
Patrik Schick netted a brace in the opening 19 minutes to make it 11 goals in his last six Bundesliga appearances.
However, with Florian Wirtz and Exequiel Palacios benched after missing Die Werkself’s final preparations due to being stuck in a traffic jam, their build-up to the game was 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
Leverkusen remain without Amine Adli (broken leg), Jeanuel Belocian (cruciate ligament) and Victor Boniface (thigh).
Nordi Mukiele or Nathan Tella are likely to make way for Wirtz, while Exequiel Palacios could come in at the expense of Robert Andrich.
Mainz picked up where they left off last year, beating VfL Bochum 2-0 in their first game of 2025.
Injury returnee Jonathan Burkardt scored both goals in the win, which means Mainz have now won six of their last seven Bundesliga games, including eye-catching victories over Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt.
An impressive run of spin has lifted Bo Henriksen’s side to fifth in the table and they will be keen to cause some further disappointment when they become champions on Tuesday.
“Of course we know that Leverkusen is a great team,” Mainz coach Bo Henriksen said in the pre-match press conference.
“They finally won the title last season. We’re a good side too though, and we’ve worked out a plan. We want to play with courage and dynamism, and we’ll also need to defend really well. If we do that, we’ll have a good chance tomorrow.”
Team News
Mainz will once again have to manage without their midfield talisman Nadiem Amiri, who remains suspended. Gabriel Vidovic is sidelined due to 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 XI Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz
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Xabi Alonso promises Wirtz’s start against Mainz and offers updates on Bonifacio
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Terrier excluded due to the end of the season
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Martin Terrier to miss the rest of the season for Bayer Leverkusen with an Achillies injury
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