Leverkusen vs Bayern is live in 65 countries on July 4, 2020: here's how to watch the DFB Pokal final

Preview: Leverkusen vs Bayern

Despite grinding out a tough 1-0 win over Mainz on the final matchday, it still was not enough to secure a top four berth for Bayer Leverkusen as Borussia Moenchengladbach also won their final game, thus ensuring they narrowly grabbed that last Champions League berth. Still, there's something Leverkusen fans can certainly look forward to: potentially ending their 27-year wait to win the DFB-Pokal. Die Werkself are in the finals of the German Cup for the first time since 2009, and although they will certainly face a tough task ahead to try to topple Bavarian giants Bayern, there are two things perhaps to keep in mind.

For starters, Leverkusen have beaten Bayern this season, defeating them 2-1 at the Allianz Arena in November, and are just one of four teams to have earned a win over die Roten during the 2019/2020 campaign. They did lose the same fixture 4-2 last month, however, so it will be very interesting to see how and if that more recent reversal will be fresh in their minds as they take on die Roten on Saturday.

Second, although Bayern will be aiming to win a record-setting 20th DFB-Pokal, and are appearing in their 24th final (as opposed to the fourth for Leverkusen), the reigning Bundesliga title-holders are not infallible, either. In 2018, Eintracht Frankfurt managed to shock German football by beating Bayern 3-1 in the final, so although Leverkusen, in their entire club history have won just 19 times against Bayern (across all comps), anything is certainly possible.

However, they'll have to contend with Robert Lewandowski, who is aiming to become the first player to finish as top goalscorer in the DFB-Pokal for four straight seasons. The Polish star has netted four goals so far in this tournament, and is coming into this game having netted 34 goals in the Bundesliga, and 49 in all competitions this season. And in addition to his goals, there's Thomas Muller, who set a Bundesliga record for the most assists in one campaign (21) and has formed an excellent partnership with the Polish ace in attack. Under Hansi Flick's tenure, Bayern, who were struggling earlier this season, have totally been revitalized and are the natural major favorites to make it another domestic double this Saturday with victory in the DFB-Pokal final.

Leverkusen do have their own weapons, however, namely with young attacker Kai Havertz, who had an excellent second half of the campaign as ten of his 12 Bundesliga goals came after the winter pause. In addition, striker Kevin Volland was highly involved during Leverkusen's 2-1 win over Bayern earlier this season - he's the one who provided both assists - and having scored ten goals for die Werkself this season, he will also be hoping to have a huge impact as his team aim to end their nearly three-decades long wait for a trophy on Saturday.

Team news: Leverkusen vs Bayern

Leverkusen: Only Paulinho is out for die Werkself with a knee injury, which gives Peter Bosz the chance to select his strongest starting XI for this tough match ahead.

Bayern: Corentino Tolisso is still out following his ankle surgery, while other likely absentees include Niklas Süle (match fitness), Javi Martinez (calf injury), Thiago (groin injury), and Lars Mai (ankle problem).

Match facts: Leverkusen vs Bayern

Bayern Munich are featuring in their 24th DFB-Pokal final and are seeking to win their 20th cup
Leverkusen are featuring in their fourth DFB-Pokal final and are hoping to win their first title since 1993
This is the first time Leverkusen and Bayern are meeting in the DFB-Pokal final in the tournament's history
Leverkusen are back in the finals for the first time since 2009, where they lost to Werder Bremen (1-0)
Die Werkself have beaten Bayern just 19 times across all comps (D16 L55)