Bayer Leverkusen head coach Sami Hyypia has opted for Eren Derdiyok up front in place of regular starter Stefan Kiessling in a bid to halt his side's poor run of form in the Bundesliga.
Derdiyok leads the line in an attacking trio also comprising Sidney Sam and Son Heung-Min, while Emre Can is once more selected at left-back ahead of Sebastian Boenisch, who is on the bench.
For the visiting Mainz 05 there is a rare start for Maxim Choupo-Moting, who lines up alongside Shinji Okazaki in attack.
Leverkusen: Leno; Hilbert, Wollscheid, Toprak, Can; Bender, Reinartz, Rolfes; Sam, Derdiyok, Son
Mainz: Karius; Pospech, Bell, Noveski, Park; Moritz, Diaz, Geis, Koo; Okazaki, Choupo-Moting
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
