Bayer Leverkusen vs. RB Leipzig preview: Visitors targeting rare head-to-head win

Leverkusen have started the season with three wins in five competitive matches (D1, L1), although only one of those victories took place in the Bundesliga. Carles Martínez Novell's side started the Bundesliga campaign with a surprise defeat to newly-promoted Elversberg before they responded with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Union Berlin .

Leverkusen were then made to work for an away point against Augsburg despite establishing a half-time lead through Christian Kofane's early opener. A quick-fire Michael Gregoritsch brace left Leverkusen staring at a defeat until Patrik Schick netted an 89th-minute equaliser, salvaging a 1-1 draw to leave his side in seventh spot after three rounds of matches.

Die Werkself returned to winning ways in Wednesday's Europa League clash against Celje. The 2-0 victory represented a second straight home victory without conceding, which means Leverkusen will be looking to maintain their perfect home record in Sunday's Bundesliga encounter.

The hosts can take confidence from the fact they completed a league double over Leipzig last season, including a 4-1 demolition at the BayArena in May.

Leverkusen are unable to call upon Montrell Culbreath , Kennet Eichhorn, Guéla Doué and Nathan Tella . Meanwhile, Ibrahim Maza should be available for selection after recovering from illness.

Leipzig have experienced an eventful start to the season, having seen their opening five competitive matches produce 23 goals. After easing past Trier in the DFB-Pokal, Leipzig hammered Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-0 in their first Bundesliga outing of the season. However, they were soon stopped in their tracks by a 3-1 defeat away to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and a 4-1 loss in their Champions League opener against Como .

Given the disappointing nature of those two away defeats, Martín Demichelis would have been relieved to see his side return to winning ways in emphatic fashion in their most recent outing against Hamburger SV . Tidiam Gomis , Antonio Nusa , Willi Orbán , Christopher Nkunku and Rômulo Cardoso all got on the scoresheet in a 5-0 success at the Red Bull Arena, which saw die Roten Bullen finish matchday three in fifth spot.

Their hopes of adding three more points to their tally on Sunday may be tempered by the fact they have won just one of their last seven meetings with Leverkusen (W5, D1). Their only victory in that period came via a 3-2 scoreline in a clash at the BayArena in August 2024.

Summer addition Marc Guiu is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury. The visitors are also without the services of Rocco Reitz , Viggo Gebel , Assan Ouédraogo and Christoph Baumgartner .