Holstein Kiel vs Bayer Leverkusen

Holstein Kiel came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in their first Bundesliga meeting with Bayer 04 Leverkusen earlier this season. The Werkself had won all three meetings in professional football prior to 2024/25 (2-1 twice in 1978/79 in the second division north and 3-1 away in the first round of the DFB-Pokal in 2003/04).

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are the only team to have dropped points twice to a side in last place this season (as Kiel currently are): 2-2 against Kiel at home and 1-1 in Bochum. The last reigning champion to fail to win two games against teams in last place was Wolfsburg in 2009/10 (D1, L1), no title holder has ever failed to win three in a single campaign.

Holstein Kiel are in last place again for the first time since matchday 5. With 13 points from 22 games, they have recorded the second-worst campaign by a Bundesliga debutant since three points for a win was introduced (only Greuther Fürth were worse in 2012/13: 12 points). No side with a return of 13 points or lower from 22 matchdays has ever stayed up in the Bundesliga.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s 0-0 draw against FC Bayern was their eighth draw in the Bundesliga this season, a league high. Currently on 47 points, the Werkself are 11 points worse off than after 22 games last season (58) and they remain eight points behind FC Bayern – no side has ever made up an advantage this big this late on in the season (since three points per win was introduced).

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 27 Bundesliga away games (W19, D8), the second-longest such run in league history behind FC Bayern’s 33-game undefeated streak on the road from April 2012 to March 2014. Xabi Alonso could now become the first coach in Bundesliga history to avoid defeat in 28 consecutive away games (currently 27, same as Udo Lattek from 1985 to 1992).