Highlights
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0:31
Watch: Xabi Alonso reflects on Mainz win
0:13
Watch: Granit Xhaka talks up Alejandro Grimaldo
Full-time: Leverkusen 1-0 Mainz
© IMAGO/UWE KRAFT
Full-time
90'
+ 4
Mainz throwing everything
Leverkusen defend a couple of teasing balls into the penalty box. On we go...
90'
+ 2
Henriksen sent off
The Mainz boss talks his way into an early bath and a mandatory one-match touchline ban.
90'
+ 1
89'
Added time
Three minutes at the end of the allotted 90...
88'
Leverkusen switch
Terrier's on for the final moments, with Wirtz making way in the Bayer attack.
88'
Substitution
87'
Ample Leverkusen chances, only one goal
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
1
2.1
0.36
0
Goals
87'
Goal attempts
11off target
9on target
1off target
4on target
83'
Denied!
Leverkusen work an opening for Tella, who sweeps goalwards from 10 yards - but it's straight at the feet of Zentner.
81'
Chance!
Wirtz sends Frimpong in behind the Mainz defence, but Zentner makes himself big to block the Leverkusen wing-back's low strike with his right foot. Will these missed opportunities come back to haunt the home side?
80'
Substitution
80'
Substitution
Milestone night for Grimaldo
© IMAGO/Kolvenbach
73'
Nearly!
Palacios splits the Mainz defence with a brilliantly weighted pass for Frimpong. The Dutchman sends in a low cross-shot that Zentner scoops clear, albeit only as far as Wirtz, whose follow-up shot is blocked.
70'
Smart reactions
Kovář does really well to get down to Weiper's low strike that was creeping in at the near post. Most of the BayArena expected the Mainz sub to aim for the opposite corner.
67'
Changes
Schick won't add to his run of goals today. Tella's on for the Czech striker. Mainz also shuffle the pack, with Hong and Weiper on for the final 20 minutes or so. They're not out of this yet.
66'
Substitution
66'
Substitution
63'
Substitution
61'
Zentner again!
Mainz survive a couple of corners, but Leverkusen are quick to recycle possession. Wirtz slaps a shot goalwards from 18 yards, with Zentner leaping to attention to push it over. The Mainz stopper gets a fist on the ensuing corner, too.
58'
Good goalkeeping
Sano sends a swerving strike towards the far post. It might be going wide, but Kovář's not to know. He pushes it behind, before dealing with the resultant corner.
54'
Win probability
Win probability
46'
46.8 %
Now
77.4 %
50'
Close!
Almost an immediate response from Mainz as Lee's well-struck shot from inside the box forces Kovář into a superb diving save. Caci tries to shovel in the rebound, but he can't wrap his boot around it at the far post.
48'
Incredible goal!
Grimaldo with a trademark knuckle-ball - up and over the Mainz wall and beyond Zentner's reach to give Bayer the lead.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Shot speed
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
46'
Normal service resumed
Leverkusen have picked up where they left off, dictating the play and trying to play through Mainz. Bell's late on Wirtz, handing Grimaldo a chance with a free-kick just outside the penalty area...
Kick-off!
Half-time: Leverkusen 0-0 Mainz
© IMAGO/Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Another chance...
... as a loose clearance drops for Grimaldo, whose dipping 18-yard strike is beaten clear by Zentner.
42'
Strong save
Zentner's at full stretch to prevent Wirtz nestling a shot in the bottom corner from outside the area. Lovely build-up from the hosts - they've done everything but score in the first half.
38'
Expected Goals
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.86
0.03
0
Goals
33'
Knocking at the door
Leverkusen try to walk it into the Mainz goal, but García's first touch lets him down at the vital moment. Let-off for Mainz.
30'
Wide!
Wirtz does really well to chip a pass into the box for Schick, whose cultured volley goes just wide of the near post off a teammate. Zentner didn't move.
27'
On target
Mainz with a sustained spell of possession for the first time. It ends with Bell making Kovář reach high above his head to stop the defender clipping in a goal from a tight angle. Encouraging for the 05ers!
22'
Hincapié!
Leverkusen spread the play, stretching the Mainz defence as they go. Hincapié collects possession on the left-hand side of the area, the Ecuador defender sending a fierce low strike narrowly past Zentner's far post.
18'
Superb football
And nearly the opening goal. Leverkusen suck in the Mainz defence with a superb passing move that culminates in García having a low shot from inside the area blocked. His follow-up deflects behind for a corner that Zentner claims with authority.
15'
Cleared!
Wirtz gets away from his marker and in behind, but his cut-back is cleared before Schick can pounce. It feels like a Bayer goal is incoming...
13'
Almost!
Xhaka swings in a brilliant cross from the left, but Schick moves too early and it sails out to safety from a Mainz perspective.
10'
Leverkusen in charge
Possession (%)
5941
10'
7'
Off the line!
Hanche-Olsen makes a superb sliding challenge to stop Schick, who did brilliantly to round the keeper and shoot goalwards from a tight angle, from breaking the deadlock.
5'
Pass and move
Leverkusen are shifting the ball around with real purpose, but the Mainz press is succeeding in keeping the red shirts at arm's length for now...
3'
Hamstrung
The 12-goal Burkardt hobbles off. Bayern loanee Armindo Sieb is his replacement.
3'
Substitution
2'
Burkardt down
Mainz's record Bundesliga goalscorer goes down after chasing after a long ball. He's prone as he receives attention from the physio team - this is a bitter blow for the Germany international and his team.
1'
Under way in Leverkusen!
Two in-form sides - who will prevail at the BayArena?
Kick-off!
Paddy power
© IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto
Mainz on the up
With 28 points from 16 games, Mainz have only made a better start to a Bundesliga season once before. The 05ers had 30 points at this stage back in 2010/11, when they ultimately finished fifth under Thomas Tuchel.
Will Bayern hold their nerve?
Matchday 17 marks the end of what's known in German as the 'Hinrunde' - the first half of the season. Bayern are already assured of being top at the halfway stage, and will claim the nominal 'Herbstmeisterschaft' (autumn championship) as a result. Ominously for Leverkusen and the chasing pack, the team top at halfway in 42 of the previous 61 campaigns has gone on to be champions.
All going on at the top
If Leverkusen win tonight, they'll climb to within a point of leaders Bayern, who host Hoffenheim tomorrow. Mainz start the day in fifth, two points outside the top four.
More on those teams
Alonso recalls Palacios and Wirtz. García also comes in, while Kovář is cycled in for Hrádecký in goal. Tah, Andrich and Tella also make way. Mainz show one change to their win over Bochum as Hanche-Olsen replaces Jenz in defence.
Leverkusen starting XI
Kovář - Mukiele, Tapsoba, Hincapié - Frimpong, Xhaka (c), Palacios, Grimaldo - García, Wirtz - Schick
Leverkusen subs
Hrádecký, Lomb, Arthur, Hofmann, Andrich, Terrier, Tella, Stepanov, Onyeka
Mainz starting XI
Zentner - Da Costa, Bell, Hanche-Olsen - Caci, Sano, Kohr, Mwene - Nebel, Lee - Burkardt (c)
Mainz subs
Rieß, Batz, Leitsch, Widmer, Barkok, Hong, Gleiber, Sieb, Weiper
Hot on their heels
© IMAGO/wolfstone-photo
Advantage Bayer?
In recent seasons, Leverkusen have had the edge in this fixture: in their last 13 games against Mainz, Bayer have won ten times (with one draw and two defeats).
Red-letter campaign
© Neil Baynes
Quick out of the blocks
© Lars Baron
Deadly on the road
© IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus
Probable line-ups
© IMAGO/Moritz Mueller
Bo Henriksen on Leverkusen
© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs
Xabi Alonso on Mainz
© IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz
Storming back to the top?
Bayer's winning run of six games is the longest in the Bundesliga this season. With seven goals in his last six games, Jonathan Burkardt is the second most in-form player in the league behind Patrik Schick, who has 11 goals in the same time.
2:03
Watch: Mainz 2-0 Bochum - Highlights
2:03
Watch: Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Bayer Leverkusen - highlights
2:03
Watch: Leverkusen 2-1 Mainz - previous meeting