Bayer vs Nuremberg 28.10.2026: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Bayer Leverkusen’s grueling schedule has finally begun to show. A 0:3 Bundesliga collapse at Hoffenheim on Sunday ended the club’s six-match winning run across all competitions, leaving coach Carles Martinez with limited time to lift his squad. The perfect chance to respond comes in the German Cup, where Leverkusen face Nurnberg — a second-division side that also enters the match on the back of a league setback.

Bayer’s Winning Run Ends, Rotation Expected

The defeat in Sinsheim was only the second that Leverkusen have suffered under Carles Martinez. The coach pointed to a punishing schedule as the main culprit: the team returned late from Greece after their Europa League clash with OFI, which ended 2:0, and the entire week proved particularly draining. With matches arriving every three days, spreading minutes across the squad has become essential. A reshuffle is therefore anticipated for the cup tie, though it will likely stop short of a wholesale change.

There are several obvious candidates to step in. Blaswich could take over in goal, while Vazquez and Hermann offer fresh legs in defense. Andrich is a natural option in defensive midfield, and Hofmann, Moreira and Boniface are all in contention for attacking roles. Patrick Schick, meanwhile, looks in urgent need of a breather. The Czech striker appeared labored against Hoffenheim — a match that marked only the third time this season he has failed to score. Further complications arose from that league game, as Bade and Diaby both picked up problems: Bade is suspected to have sustained a concussion, while Diaby is struggling with a hamstring injury.

Nurnberg’s Attacking Quality and Key Absences

Nurnberg’s momentum has stalled since the international break. Miroslav Klose’s side have failed to win any of their last three league matches, and their most recent outing ended in a first defeat of the entire campaign: a 0:1 loss to promotion rivals Kaiserslautern. The result was harsh on the performance, as the visitors dominated in every attacking metric. They fired off 31 shots to Kaiserslautern’s 12, registered eight shots on target to seven, and posted an expected-goals tally of 2.10 against 0.82.

What made that loss even more frustrating was that Nurnberg failed to score for the first time this season — a rare blemish for a side whose attacking play has generally been impressive. Across nine rounds of the 2. Bundesliga, they have scored 21 goals, more than anyone except Wolfsburg, who lead the division with 23. The chief threats have been forwards Skobel and Zoma, who have accounted for 12 league goals between them. However, Zoma is unavailable for this cup tie due to injury, and first-choice defender Otto is also ruled out after picking up a knock in the Kaiserslautern match.

Predicted Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1)

• Blaswich
• Vazquez – Kuansa – Hermann – Gutierrez
• Andrich – Fernandez
• Tella – Hofmann – Moreira
• Boniface

Unavailable: Diaby, Bade, Doue, Terrier, Kofane (all injured), Eichhorn (illness), Ben Segir, Kalbret (both doubtful) Coach: Carles Martinez

Nurnberg (4-2-3-1)

• Reichert
• Janisch – Kalogeropoulos – Mkrtchyan – Porstner
• Marhiev – Fernandez
• Grieb – Justvan – Lubach
• Skobel

Unavailable: Becker, Faye, Mandic, Zoma (all injured), Otto (doubtful) Coach: Miroslav Klose

Referee: Felix Zwayer

Felix Zwayer is a referee who tends to stay in the background. He is not especially harsh and rarely makes game-defining calls. In his last 20 matches in the Bundesliga and German Cup, Zwayer has averaged just 3.5 yellow cards per game and whistled 21.7 fouls per match. That same sample includes only two red cards and four penalties awarded — numbers that suggest a hands-off approach.

Prediction and Bet

Main prediction: Bayer to win with a handicap of -2.5 at odds of 2.00.

Even with rotation expected, the gap in quality between these two sides is glaring, and playing at home makes Leverkusen the overwhelming favorite. Leverkusen have won all four official home matches this season, with a combined score of 10:1. They also possess considerable firepower on the bench, meaning the attack is unlikely to weaken significantly. If the hosts find the net in the first half, Nurnberg will be forced to open up, and that could lead to further goals for Bayer. With two of Nurnberg’s key starters missing, the visitors look ill-equipped to keep the scoreline close. Taking Bayer with a -2.5 handicap at 2.00 is the strong play.

Total prediction: Over 4.5 goals at odds of 2.35.

The attacking numbers on both sides support a high-scoring contest. Leverkusen’s recent results include a 4:3 win over Mainz and a 4:0 victory over Lech, while Nurnberg were involved in a 4:4 draw with Wolfsburg not long ago. At home, Leverkusen have the ability to create a steady stream of chances and convert several of them. The cup format also allows for a more open match if one team needs to chase the game. Nurnberg themselves are not toothless — they boast the second-best attacking record in their division — so they may well contribute to the scoreline. Backing over 4.5 goals at 2.35 looks the sensible option.