Köln vs. Leverkusen: Derby Preview, Team News and Result Status — Nov. 5, 2026

Last checked: November 5, 2026, 5:02 p.m. CET (UTC+01:00; 4:02 p.m. UTC).

1. FC Köln host Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Bundesliga Matchday 9 on Sunday, November 8, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. in Cologne (CET, UTC+01:00; 2:30 p.m. UTC). The Rhine derby arrives with Leverkusen sixth on 13 points and Köln 13th on nine after eight matches. The fixture is still upcoming, so there is no result or confirmed starting lineup yet.

Leverkusen bring the stronger scoring record but enter after consecutive league defeats, while Köln have taken points from each of their last two Bundesliga matches. That makes the meeting a useful test of whether the visitors can turn their attacking output into a steadier result and whether the hosts can make home advantage count.

Highlights

• Kickoff: Sunday, November 8, 3:30 p.m. CET (UTC+01:00) in Cologne; 2:30 p.m. UTC.
• Venue: RheinEnergieSTADION, Cologne.
• Form: Köln drew 1-1 at Union Berlin; Leverkusen lost 4-2 to Stuttgart after a 3-0 defeat at Hoffenheim.
• Result status: The match has not been played as of the update time above; lineups and score are not confirmed.

When is Köln vs. Leverkusen, and where is it being played?

The Bundesliga match is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, at RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne. The confirmed start time is 3:30 p.m. CET (UTC+01:00), which is 2:30 p.m. UTC. Germany will be on standard time on the match date, following the end of daylight saving time in late October. The Bundesliga schedule announcement and the official match center list the fixture for Matchday 9.

What is the latest team news for Köln and Leverkusen?

Köln’s November 4 training update said five players were continuing rehabilitation work: Imad Rondic, Rav van den Berg, Ellyes Skhiri, Thijs Dallinga and Timo Hübers. Jan Thielmann was following an individual program. The club said the other players were available when preparations began, but that is not a final matchday fitness report. Their status can change before kickoff. Köln’s official squad update is the latest training information used here.

For Leverkusen, the latest detailed injury notice located for this preview was published on October 26. The club’s October 26 injury update said forward Moussa Diaby had a thigh injury and was expected back after the November international break. Defender Loïc Badé had suffered concussion and a cut, with the club hoping he could return soon. Neither note is a matchday confirmation, so check the clubs’ final updates before kickoff. Leverkusen also have a Europa League home match against Marseille scheduled for Thursday, November 5, before the derby; the club’s official schedule update lists a 9:00 p.m. CET start, leaving a short recovery window between games.

Neither club has announced its starting XI at the time of this check. Teams generally confirm lineups closer to kickoff, so player availability and the official selections should be treated as open questions until matchday.

What do the recent results and standings say?

After eight league games, Köln have two wins, three draws and three losses, with nine goals scored and 12 conceded. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw away to Union Berlin on November 1. Leverkusen have four wins, one draw and three losses, with 18 goals scored and 16 conceded. They are sixth, four points above Köln, according to the official DFB Matchday 8 table.

Leverkusen’s attack remains a clear strength: the Bundesliga match preview noted that their 18 goals were among the league’s highest totals and twice Köln’s nine. But the recent sequence raises a defensive question. They lost 3-0 at Hoffenheim on October 25 and then 4-2 at home to Stuttgart on October 31. Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza scored against Stuttgart, yet Leverkusen conceded four times, as summarized in the club’s official match review. Köln, meanwhile, have earned draws against Schalke and Union Berlin in their last two league outings.

The most recent league meeting between these sides ended 2-1 to Leverkusen in April, with Patrik Schick scoring twice, according to the Bundesliga match center. That result gives the visitors a recent derby reference point, but it does not determine what happens this time.

What could decide the Rhine derby?

Köln’s clearest opportunity is to use the home crowd and turn the game into a high-energy contest, while staying organized when Leverkusen have the ball. The hosts have scored nine times in eight matches, so creating chances and converting them will matter against an opponent that has scored twice as often. Set pieces and quick transitions could be especially important if Leverkusen commit numbers forward; that is a tactical possibility, not a confirmed match plan.

Leverkusen will want to build on their goal production while limiting the defensive openings that appeared in their recent losses. Their Thursday Europa League fixture against Marseille is another factor: the scheduled 9:00 p.m. CET start on November 5 leaves about 66 hours and 30 minutes between kickoffs before Sunday’s derby. How much that affects selection or energy will depend on the Marseille match and the recovery choices afterward.

On the numbers available before kickoff, Leverkusen have the stronger scoring profile and higher league position, while Köln have home advantage and arrive after a pair of draws. The outcome remains uncertain. The result below should be added only after the match is completed and an official score is available.

FAQ

What time does Köln vs. Leverkusen start?

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CET (UTC+01:00) on Sunday, November 8, 2026, which is 2:30 p.m. UTC.

Where is the match being played?

The game is at RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne, Germany.

What was the result?

No result is available yet. The match is scheduled for November 8, after the November 5 update timestamp above. Check the official Bundesliga match center for the live score and final result.