Bayer Leverkusen vs St Pauli: Match Preview, Predictions, and Team News
Bayer Leverkusen is set to host St Pauli at BayArena on Tuesday as they vie for a spot in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal. Leverkusen, currently positioned sixth in the Bundesliga, is coming off a strong 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the previous round. In contrast, St Pauli is struggling in 17th place in the league.
Match Preview
This match presents an all-Bundesliga clash, with Leverkusen having shown solid defensive capabilities against Dortmund. Their opponents managed to limit Dortmund to few chances, especially in the final minutes of their recent encounter. Leverkusen has a rich history in the DFB-Pokal, having won the tournament in the 2023-24 season and reaching the semi-finals in 2024-25, although they faced elimination against Arminia Bielefeld.
Leverkusen has accumulated 35 points in the Bundesliga standings, trailing RB Leipzig by just one point and Stuttgart by four. The team recently achieved a convincing 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, marking their third consecutive victory. During these matches, they recorded two clean sheets, scored six goals, and allowed only one goal.
Recent Performance
- Bayer Leverkusen’s home match record: 5 wins in last 8 games
- St Pauli’s away performance: 1 win in last 11 outings
St Pauli advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 in December. They contained their rivals effectively, limiting them to an expected goals (xG) rating of just 0.66. However, they remain at the bottom of the Bundesliga table with only 14 points, four points shy of the relegation playoff spot held by Mainz 05.
In their past meetings, St Pauli has struggled against Leverkusen, recording four losses and a draw in their last five encounters. They are currently winless in six matches, suffering three defeats, and have scored just twice in their last three games.
Team News
For Bayer Leverkusen, the DFB-Pokal is a primary focus for silverware this season, setting the stage for a strong starting lineup. Patrik Schick is expected to lead in attack, supported by Ezequiel Fernandez and Aleix Garcia in midfield. Robert Andrich may anchor a back three alongside Jarell Quansah and Loic Bade, while Janis Blaswich is anticipated to keep goal due to Mark Flekken’s continued absence.
St Pauli is likely to field a weakened team as they battle for survival in the league. Jannik Thomas Robatsch could feature in the defense, while Mathias Rasmussen is a possible midfield inclusion, tasked with supporting forwards Martijn Kaars and Ricky-Jade Jones.
Possible Lineups
| Bayer Leverkusen | St Pauli |
|---|---|
| Blaswich | Voll |
| Quansah | Wahl |
| Andrich | Robatsch |
| Bade | Mets |
| Vazquez | Stevens |
| Fernandez | Fujita |
| Garcia | Rasmussen |
| Grimaldo | Irvine |
| Maza | Oppie |
| Poku | Kaars |
| Schick | Jones |
Match Prediction
Given their recent form in the DFB-Pokal and strong home record, Bayer Leverkusen is favored to secure a 2-0 victory against St Pauli. Their overall performance has positioned them as a formidable contender in this year’s tournament.
