Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender has been handed a start by coach Sami Hyypia in the continued absence of Gonzalo Castro through injury.

Emre Can drops to the bench from Leverkusen's defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League in midweek, while Stefan Kiessling continues to lead the line.

For the hosting Mainz 05, there is no Shinji Okazaki in the lineup, with striker Dani Schahin being supported by Maxim Choupo-Moting and Nicolai Muller.

Mainz: Muller; Svensson, Pospech, Noveski, Park; Geis, Moritz, Soto; Choupo-Moting, Schahin, Muller

Leverkusen: Leno; Hilbert, Wollscheid, Toprak, Boenisch; Reinartz, Bender, Rolfes; Sam, Kiessling, Kruse

Written by
Matt Domm