Comfortable starting position for RB Leipzig. The Saxons can qualify for the premier class early on and on Saturday. Opponents Leverkusen, on the other hand, are under a lot of pressure.
First match point for RB Leipzig: Leipzig only needs one win from the remaining three Bundesliga games of the season to secure Champions League qualification. On Saturday (May 2nd, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. in the live ticker and in the audio report) in the away game at Bayer Leverkusen, RB coach Ole Werner’s team wants to make the premier class clear.
RB coach Werner: “Motivation is noticeable”
“The motivation to achieve the goal is noticeable,” reports Werner at the press conference on Thursday (April 30, 2026). “We have done a good job up to this point. The important thing comes now.” RB is third in the table, five points ahead of fifth-placed Hoffenheim and seven points ahead of sixth-placed Leverkusen. Because fourth-placed Stuttgart and Hoffenheim are still taking points from each other in direct clashes, a win from the remaining three games is enough for RB.
Leverkusen recently lost twice at home
Leverkusen, on the other hand, has to win – and lost their most recent two home games in the Bundesliga against Augsburg and in the cup against Bayern Munich. “We can’t copy much from Augsburg or from Bayern,” laughs Werner when asked about the Leverkusen defeats: “You have to look at yourself.” In addition, 30 shots on goal by Leverkusen in the game against Augsburg would show the high quality of the Rhinelanders. “Leverkusen is a team that is extremely confident on the ball. In all parts of the team,” says the RB coach, referring to the recent away win in Dortmund, the league draw against Bayern and the Champions League draw against Arsenal.
Leverkusen with coach Hjulmand is under pressure.
B04 coach Hjulmand: “Fire and motivation on the pitch”
However, there is a lot of rumblings in Leverkusen. It is uncertain whether coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was only hired during the season, will also be on the bench in the coming season. Before the game against RB, the Dane appealed to his team: “We have a shared responsibility for the fire and motivation on the pitch.” The declared goal is to qualify for the Champions League again: “We have a lot to win. We have three games and with these three games we can get into the Champions League next year. My focus is 100 percent on these games.”
Good chances for an opportunity festival
In any case, the neutral spectators can look forward to a festival of opportunities: both teams have the fourth-best offense in the league with 62 goals each, RB has the two most big chances in the league, Leverkusen has the second highest expected goals value.
Lukeba and space before comeback at RB
In terms of personnel, RB has announced that Castello Lukeba (adductor problems) will return; the central defender has already been able to train fully throughout the week. Captain David Raum (groin problems) could also be an option; the full-back returned to full team training on Wednesday. A final decision should be made on Friday after the final training.
Dirk Hofmeister
