Fresh from their first points of the season courtesy of Kai Havertz, Bayer Leverkusen travel to Fortuna Düsseldorf for a Rhine derby on Wednesday evening (kick-off: 6:30pm CEST/5:30pm BST/12:30pm ET).
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Fortuna’s goalless draw at VfB Stuttgart on Friday night extended their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to three matches. It was just the second time the Bundesliga 2 champions have failed to score in a competitive match in 2018, but it did bring goalkeeper Michael Rensing a first Bundesliga clean sheet since March 2012 for Cologne. The former Bayern Munich shot-stopper would then sign for this week’s opponents Leverkusen before moving up the Rhine to Dusseldorf in 2013. Coach Friedhelm Funkel has no new injury concerns from Friday’s match and could name an unchanged line-up, but with three games in eight days may opt for some rotation.
A homecoming of sorts for Leverkusen as they return to the stadium they once called home for the first time in five and a half years. And they arrive on a high after Havertz headed in the only goal of the game against Mainz to give Die Werkself their first points of the campaign. Despite those three points this remains Leverkusen’s worst start to a season since 1982/83. With games every three days, Heiko Herrlich may continue his policy of light rotation, especially in attack with summer signing Paulinho in line for a first Bundesliga start. Kevin Volland could also return up front in place of Lucas Alario. Leon Bailey could be rested.
Watch: Leverkusen take on the Crazy Glasses challenge
Probable line-ups
Düsseldorf: Rensing – Ayhan, Bodzek (c), Kaminski – Zimmer, Zimmermann, Sobottka, Morales, Gießelmann – Raman, DuckschAbsentees: Contento (cruciate ligament), Duman (groin), Karaman (muscle), Wiesner (pubic bone), Wolf (neck)Coach: Friedhelm Funkel
Leverkusen: Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell – Kohr, L. Bender (c) – Paulinho, Havertz, Brandt - VollandAbsentees: Aranguiz (knee), Baumgartlinger (ligament), Bellarabi (suspended), Retsos (hand), Pohjanpalo (leg)Coach: Heiko Herrlich