FC St. Pauli – Bayer Leverkusen
Curious: Both FC St. Pauli and Bayer Leverkusen desperately need points at the Millerntor – the Kiezkickers to keep their hopes of survival alive, the Werkself to keep Bayern from pulling away in the title race.
After 29 matchdays, coach Alexander Blessin’s newly promoted side are in 15th place, seven points above the relegation play-off spot. He will still be without captain Jackson Irvine, but will be counting on the return of Metcalfe, Saad and Co.
Leverkusen travels as the runner-up with almost a full squad. Xabi Alonso announced that Florian Wirtz will start again after his enforced break. The Rhinelanders are six points behind Bayern, so a slip-up is not an option.
Historically, St. Pauli feels surprisingly comfortable at home against Bayer – they have more home wins against them than any other Bundesliga team. However, their last three points date back to the 1990s, and the last six league games have gone to the Werkself five times.
FC St. Pauli – Leverkusen info
- Venue: Millerntor Stadium, Hamburg
- Date and time: 20.04.2025, 7:30 p.m.
- Competition: Bundesliga (matchday 30)
St. Pauli form & record check
St. Pauli has shown remarkable stability as a promoted team: two wins, two draws, and only one defeat (in Munich) in its last five games. The team has always scored at least one goal, but has also conceded one in almost every game.
A late own goal saved them in the 2-1 win in Kiel, but the record remains clear: over 1.5 goals have been scored in 80% of their last five games, and Pauli scored after the break in four of those games.
With 29 points, the Hamburg side are in 15th place – one point behind Hoffenheim and seven ahead of the relegation play-off spot. Blessin can be pleased to have several players back from injury, but without Irvine, he needs a new playmaker in the center, probably Metcalfe.
Historically, Bayer is considered a favorite opponent, but at the moment, a lot depends on the transition game: passion is there, but compactness is shaky – there can be no slip-ups against Leverkusen’s pace.
Blessin is likely to stick with his 3-4-2-1 formation. In front of keeper Voll, Nemeth, Wahl, and Dźwigała form a back three. Saliakas and Smith move to the wings, with Metcalfe replacing the absent Irvine alongside Boukhalfa.
Afolayan, Sinani, and Eggestein are the first choice up front, with Saad remaining the wild card option. No big surprises are expected, as Blessin has laid his cards on the table early this time.
Leverkusen form & record check
Leverkusen travel as reigning champions, but had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Union last time out. They have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five league games.
What’s striking is that Bayer have never been ahead at half-time during this phase, but have regularly turned things around after the break. Wirtz’s return should cure the lack of creativity; experience shows that his presence also increases Patrik Schick’s goal tally.
Alonso has almost no personnel worries. Xhaka and Palacios stabilize the center, and the team has never collapsed defensively after half-time. The plan is clear: keep the pressure on Bayern without stumbling themselves.
Alonso is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested 3-5-2 formation. Tapsoba, Tah, and Hincapié will protect goalkeeper Hrádecký, while Grimaldo and García will play extremely offensively on the wings.
Xhaka and Palacios will organize things in the center, while Wirtz will provide ideas behind Schick and Tella. Boniface is available as a luxury substitute. Apart from long-term injuries, the squad is complete.
St. Pauli – Leverkusen Head-to-head & statistics
Leverkusen have won the last three direct encounters, most recently 2-1 in December 2024. No more than three goals have been scored in any of those games.
Pauli have failed to score in the first half in any of those games. The bare statistics therefore clearly favor the visitors – but as we all know, streaks are there to be broken.
