Bayer Leverkusen Faces Union Berlin in Crucial Bundesliga Showdown

LEVERKUSEN, Germany – Bayer Leverkusen will host Union Berlin on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at BayArena, in a pivotal Bundesliga match. With just six matchweeks remaining, Leverkusen, currently in second place with 62 points, must secure a victory and hope for dropped points from league leaders Bayern Munich, who sit six points ahead. The match kicks off at 3:30 PM CEST.

Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso is concerned after his team struggled to create chances during their recent 1-0 win over Heidenheim on April 5. Despite the win, Leverkusen managed only two shots on target, both of which are alarming stats given their pursuit of the title. The host will be looking to recover from a tough DFB-Pokal exit to a third-division team earlier in the week.

“We need to perform better than last week,” Alonso said. “Every game is important if we are to keep our title hopes alive.” Leverkusen remains solid at home, winning 14 of their last 16 matches at BayArena, although they have struggled recently with two home losses and a draw in three league encounters.

On the other side, Union Berlin, currently sitting 13th with 33 points, come into the game with a renewed sense of determination after back-to-back victories in their last two matches. Coach Steffen Baumgart‘s side displayed strong defensive performance in their last outing against Wolfsburg. Despite that, the visitors need to improve their scoring capabilities, having managed only 18 goals this season, which puts them at a disadvantage.

“We have to be more clinical in the final third,” Baumgart stated. “We understand the challenge at BayArena, but we’re ready to take on Leverkusen.”

In terms of team news, Leverkusen could welcome back key player Florian Wirtz, but he might still miss out on Saturday’s contest along with injured players. Other potential starters include Hradecky, Tah, and Hincapie. Union Berlin, meanwhile, will miss regulars like midfielder Jeong due to injury, but could start players like Rønnow and Doekhi in key defensive roles.

Statistically, the match promises to be tight. Leverkusen’s last five encounters with Union Berlin resulted in four wins and one draw for the hosts, highlighting a favorable trend that they will look to continue. Both clubs target a strong finish to the season, making this clash essential for their respective campaigns.

As kickoff approaches, the stakes could not be higher for Bayer Leverkusen, seeking to maintain their title challenge, while Union Berlin aims to solidify their place in the league. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this intriguing matchup unfolds.