Bayer Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand insisted his side are "absolutely ready" for three Bundesliga fixtures in the space of a week.

Leverkusen host Mainz on Saturday before trips to Hamburg and Freiburg in the next seven days, which will be followed by their Champions League last 16 first leg against Arsenal.

The Werkself are sixth in the German top-flight after a defeat to Union Berlin last time out saw them miss the chance to close in on the top four.

They were able to progress past Olympiacos in the Champions League during the week, though Hjulmand was far from impressed with their performance in the goalless draw.

The Danish coach believes Leverkusen must improve their quality in possession as they prepare for a crucial week in their league campaign.

"We have a very important week ahead of us with three Bundesliga games," said Hjulmand.

"We start against Mainz. We can expect a physical and ball-winning team doing very well under Urs Fischer.

"We want and need to take a step forward in our performance compared to the previous games.

"Above all, it's about finding our rhythm in possession. We haven't managed that so often recently, but it's very important for our game. We need to improve on that.

"In weeks like this with so many games in such a short space of time, you naturally need rotation, routines and regeneration. We know that, so there's no excuse. We are absolutely ready."

Mainz are 13th in the Bundesliga, just two points above St. Pauli in the relegation play-off spot.

They drew 1-1 with Hamburg last time out, which came after a 4-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bayer Leverkusen – Patrik Schick

Schick is Leverkusen's top scorer in the Bundesliga this season, finding the back of the net seven times in 18 games.

The 30-year-old also scored in his last Bundesliga home game when Leverkusen thrashed St. Pauli 4-0.

Mainz – Nadiem Amiri

Amiri has already scored 10 Bundesliga goals this season for Mainz – it is the first time he has reached double figures in a Bundesliga campaign.

Amiri has scored in six of his last seven Bundesliga appearances and is the joint-second best Bundesliga scorer in 2026 with seven goals, behind only Harry Kane (nine), and level with Andrej Kramaric.

MATCH PREDICTION – BAYER LEVERKUSEN WIN

Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga meetings against Mainz (W4 D1).

Since the 2017-18 season, Leverkusen have scored in all 17 of their Bundesliga matches against Mainz – they do not have a longer active scoring streak against any other team in the top-flight.

Hjulmand's side have also won their last two Bundesliga home games without conceding a goal – overall, the Werkself have recorded six Bundesliga home wins with a clean sheet in 2025-26.

However, Leverkusen's run of four Bundesliga games without defeat (W3 D1) ended on the last matchday – the Werkself have already suffered three Bundesliga defeats in 2026, as many as throughout their last 14 games at the end of 2025 combined.

Mainz coach Fischer has lost only two of his first ten Bundesliga games with the club (W4 D4) – this equals the club record, previously set by Jurgen Klopp in 2004, Hjulmand in 2014 and Bo Henriksen in 2024 (all L2).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bayer Leverkusen – 53.3%

Draw – 23.1%

Mainz – 23.6%