Champions League chasing Bayer Leverkusen make the short journey southwards across the Rhine river to take on Martin Schmidt's 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the Coface Arena, in a game that has implications at either ends of the table.

die Nullfünfer will be looking to solidify their position in the Bundesliga and a win on Saturday will almost certainly confirm another year in the top flight. Since Martin Schmidt took over from Kasper Hjulmand in February, the Coface Arena side have picked up form including impressive wins over Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Augsburg; allowing die Karnevalsverein to move away from the chasing relegation pack.

For the visitors, an impressive run of five wins in their last six Bundesliga games has all but guaranteed another season of Champions League football, after Schalke 04's recent struggles. die Werkself will also have good memories of their last trip to the Coface Arena; a 4-1 drubbing of die Nullfünfer with Lars Bender, Robbie Kruse and Stefan Kießling getting the goals.

Martin Schmidt has somewhat of an injury crisis in defence, which will no doubt give the Swiss manager a selection dilemma. die Nullfünfer will be without regular Niko Bungert, as the defender picked up an injury in last weekends goal-less draw in the far north of Germany against Werder Bremen. Veteren Nikolče Noveski will also be missing, meaning Júnior Díaz could partner Stefan Bell in the heart of defence.

Gonzalo Jara, Christoph Clemens and Nicolás Castillo will also be missing from the Matchday squad, as the trio picked up fresh injuries in midweek. Johannes Geis will continue to feature in the heart of midfield, amidst rumours of a summer move to Borussia Dortmund or VfL Wolfsburg.

The Coface Arena has proved to be a happy hunting ground this campaign for die Karnevalsverein. The club from the Rhineland-Palatinate have earned over half their points on home turf, including a victory over Borussia Dortmund - so Martin Schmidt will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday.

Die Werkself are coming straight off the back of a midweek defeat on penalties to Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal, ending any hopes of cup success in Roger Schmidt's first campaign at the BayArena.

The former Red Bull Salzburg manager, will have a relatively full squad to choose from with the only absentees being Robbie Kruse, Stefan Kießling and Emir Spahic; the first two being goalscorers on their last visit to the Coface Arena. Without Kießling, Leverksuen will start with Josip Drmic up front. The Swiss striker was the only man to miss a penalty, in Wednesdays defeat against Bayern Munich.

Roger Schmidt's sides results away from home have picked up recently; having won four of their last six away from the BayArena. Their last on the road was an impressive 1-0 victory at the Veltins Arena against Schalke 04, Karim Bellarabi getting the only goal of the game. die Werkself have also won at Signal Iduna Park and the Olympiastadion this campaign, so head into the match on Saturday afternoon as favourites.

The previous meeting between the sides, left nothing to remember in a goal-less draw at the BayArena.