After Leverkusen won the German league title two years ago and finished second last year, there was a major upheaval at the start of the current season. The architect of that success, Xabi Alonso left the club and was replaced by Erik ten Hag, who stepped down after only three competitive games. Kasper Hjulmand took over leading them back up the table.

The Werkself are currently sixth after 22 matchdays, but could move up two places to fourth with a win from their postponed match against HSV. One of the reasons for their good position in the table is the Rhinelanders' mastery of the ball, they have kept possession for more than 57 per cent of their playing time while enjoying a successful pass rate of almost 90 per cent. Only FC Bayern rank higher in both categories.

The runners-up are defensively stable, conceding the fewest goals in the last five league games and boasting the third-best defence in the league with 27 goals conceded. However, eleven of those goals came from set pieces, which certainly offers Union hope. Alejandro Grimaldo and summer signing Ernest Poku are the main driving forces in attack; both have scored five times and provided nine assists, contributing significantly to their team's fifth place in the scoring statistics. Defender Edmond Tapsoba poses an additional threat with four goals, matching Union's Danilho Doekhi, who has also scored four times from open play despite his on-field position.

Saturday's game is the 17th meeting between Union and the Werkself, with the record quite clear in favour of Saturday’s guests. Leverkusen have won ten times and there have been five games have ended in a draw. Union’s only win came at home in January 2021.

Robert Andrich was still wearing the red and white of Union in that single win over Leverkusen. The Potsdam-born player spent two seasons in Köpenick after promotion to the Bundesliga, scoring nine times and providing six assists in 66 games. In 2021, the German international moved to Leverkusen, where he celebrated the league title three years later.

Tom Rothe, Robert Skov, Diogo Leite and Josip Juranović are unavailable to Union’s coaching team on Saturday.

“Bayer Leverkusen are a very patient team that in crucial moments attack ruthlessly," said Union head coach, Steffen Baumgart, during his press conference on Thursday afternoon. "They are also very good at exploiting mistakes and making the opponent suffer. Therefore, it is important for us to find solutions and avoid mistakes, especially in our build-up play.” 

As usual, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei will open two hours before kick-off; the match is sold out in both the home and away sections.

There are still extensive traffic disruptions on public transport, and travel via the ‘Altstadt Köpenick’ tram lines is only possible with rail replacement services. All fans are therefore advised to arrive early.

In addition, due to renovation work at the Köpenick S-Bahn station, Hämmerlingstraße is closed to motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians in both directions. However, the underpass at the corner of Am Bahndamm/Hämmerlingstraße will be accessible to pedestrians on match day.