1. FC Köln vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction, odds and how to watch

1. FC Köln ground out a hard-fought 2-1 Bundesliga victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday, with goals from Ísak Jóhannesson and Saïd El Mala securing three points that their defensive record badly needed. Gladbach pulled one back through Joe Scally but never truly threatened to take anything from it.

Bayer Leverkusen survived a frantic second-half comeback from FSV Mainz 05 to win 4-3 in a Bundesliga match that had everything. Anthony Caci's first-half brace gave Mainz hope, but Leverkusen's clinical early start proved the difference.

Hamburger SV ground out a 2-1 Bundesliga win over 1. FC Köln despite being outplayed for long stretches, with goals from Nicolás Capaldo and Yussuf Poulsen proving enough after Ragnar Ache pulled one back in stoppage time.

1. FC Köln have not kept a clean sheet in their last five Bundesliga matches, and Bayer Leverkusen are about to find out exactly why that matters. This one could get ugly.

Bayer Leverkusen welcome a Marseille side that shipped four goals on their Europa League debut. The basics suggest this one could get ugly.

Two Bundesliga sides in freefall meet at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on Sunday. Something has to give, but neither team has given any reason for confidence.

OFI have been immaculate in this season's UEFA Europa League, keeping three clean sheets from three matches. Bayer Leverkusen arrive in Crete on Thursday to find out if that record means anything against proper opposition.

Bayer Leverkusen welcome an SC Freiburg side in blistering form to the BayArena on Sunday, and the hosts have serious questions to answer about their own standards. This one matters.