Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz 05 prediction, odds & betting tips 28/02/2026

With Bayer Leverkusen faltering in their quest to qualify for the Champions League, a win in the Bundesliga against visitors Mainz 05 on Saturday at Bay Arena will be crucial.

Leverkusen come into the clash in sixth place with 39 points, four fewer than Stuttgart after having been beaten 1-0 by Union Berlin last weekend, whereas 13th-placed Mainz 05 only have 22 points and are two points and three places above the relegation playoff spot.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz 05 prediction: Struggling in attack at the wrong time?

Key stats

• Bayer Leverkusen have only produced one shot on target in each of their past two games.
• Mainz 05 have conceded at least two goals in four of their last five matches away from home.
• The hosts have scored three or more goals in three of their four most recent games at Bay Arena.

Correct score prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Mainz 05

Bayer Leverkusen have struggled to impact games as effectively in the final third recently, though they do boast a strong scoring record on home soil.

Mainz have also encountered numerous challenges on the road, with their defence often faltering, and it would not be surprising if their backline let the team down once again.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Bayer Leverkusen predicted to win by the bookmakers

• HOME: 7/10 (1.7) – 58.8%

• DRAW: 3/1 (4) – 25%

• AWAY: 17/5 (4.4) – 22.7%

*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

Bayer Leverkusen are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 58.8%, and the bookmakers do not think that Mainz will come away with anything considering they have been given a 22.7% chance of victory.

You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.

Most recent H2Hs: Leverkusen ahead

Bayer Leverkusen emerged as 4-3 victors in the reverse fixture in October 2025, and that was their fourth win in five against Mainz, a period in which they also remained unbeaten.

Mainz have only won once in their past eight visits to Bay Arena, with Saturday's hosts coming out on top six times in that stretch.

Germany Bundesliga I 18/10/25

Mainz

3

Bayer Leverkusen

4

Germany Bundesliga I 17/05/25

Mainz

2

Bayer Leverkusen

2

Germany Bundesliga I 14/01/25

Bayer Leverkusen

1

Mainz

0

Germany Bundesliga I 23/02/24

Bayer Leverkusen

2

Mainz

1

Germany Bundesliga I 30/09/23

Mainz

0

Bayer Leverkusen

3

Bayer Leverkusen preview: Mixed form

In Bayer Leverkusen's last five matches, they have drawn twice, lost once and won twice, while they have also been beaten in one and been held to a stalemate in one of their past two Bundesliga fixtures.

The hosts may have hoped to start Loic Bade in the backline, but with the central defender dealing with a thigh injury, they may be forced to use Robert Andrich in a three-man defence.

Predicted lineup: Blaswich (GK), Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba, Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo, Maza, Poku & Schick

Last five results:

• 24/02/26: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Olympiacos (Champions League)
• 21/02/26: Union Berlin 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)
• 18/02/26: Olympiacos 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League)
• 14/02/26: Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 St Pauli (Bundesliga)
• 07/02/26: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)

Mainz 05 preview: A positive point?

Mainz managed to earn a point when they faced Hamburger SV on February 20, and they have now taken 10 points from a possible 15 in the Bundesliga.

Reliable shot-stopper Robin Zentner will play no part on Saturday, and his groin issue is set to lead to a start for Daniel Batz between the posts.

Predicted lineup: Batz (GK), Kohr, Posch, Potulski, Da Costa, Lee, Sano, Amiri, Widmer, Silas & Tietz

Last five results:

• 20/02/26: Mainz 05 1-1 Hamburger SV (Bundesliga)
• 13/02/26: Borussia Dortmund 4-0 Mainz 05 (Bundesliga)
• 07/02/26: Mainz 05 2-0 Augsburg (Bundesliga)
• 31/01/26: RB Leipzig 1-2 Mainz 05 (Bundesliga)
• 24/01/26: Mainz 05 3-1 Wolfsburg (Bundesliga)

Player to watch: Robert Andrich

Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich has often been used in the backline when key stars have picked up injuries, and he will hope to improve the team's defensive record.

Leverkusen have kept two clean sheets in the last seven Bundesliga games that he has started as a centre-back, though four of the games they conceded in came against sides currently in the top eight.