With one Bundesliga game left to play, Bayer Leverkusen could still clinch a Champions League spot, and Kasper Hjulmand is determined to make it theirs.

Leverkusen are sixth heading into their final-day match against Hamburger SV, knowing that anything short of a win would not be enough to give them a chance.

They are three points behind fourth-placed Stuttgart, with Hoffenheim level with them on 61 points – in the three-points-per-win era, only Borussia Dortmund in 1998-99 have managed to make up such a deficit on the last matchday.

Leverkusen are given just a 4.9% chance of overturning the deficit, given that both Stuttgart and Hoffenheim would need to lose to Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Monchengladbach, respectively, but Hjulmand remains up for the challenge.

"It's not over yet," he insisted.

"Our task is clear: we have to win the match. That's what we've discussed and prepared for all week.

"I'm 100% focused on that. Anything can happen on the final day. It's important that we show the right mentality and energy, in our stadium and in front of our fans."

Leverkusen are at least assured of a Europa League spot, no matter the result against HSV, who sit 11th in the table.

The promoted side have ensured their Bundesliga status for another season and as such are playing for pride on Saturday, though they could finish 10th with a win.

But if Leverkusen fail to win, it would be a slight damper on a rollercoaster season, which they began under Erik ten Hag’s stewardship before his sacking after two league games.

"We've given everything to have a good season," Hjulmand added. "Let's not forget: there were big changes and a lot of new players.

"Seven first-team regulars left, 15 players without Bundesliga experience came in. It's only natural that things haven't all gone perfectly, and there are always aspects you can work on.

"There are lots of nuances you have to take into account and respect when analysing a season like this. It's not just black or white. I have great respect for my players and all the staff.

"And even though I'm never completely satisfied and always see a need for improvement, I'm quite happy with the team and the processes that are going on in the background."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bayer Leverkusen – Patrik Schick

Schick could face HSV for the first time in the Bundesliga – he has scored against all 25 clubs he has faced so far.

Only Miroslav Klose has played against more different clubs in Bundesliga history and scored against all of them (28).

Schick has scored nine goals in his last seven top-flight matches – more than any other player since Matchday 27.

Hamburger SV – Luka Vuskovic

19-year-old Luka Vuskovic has scored six Bundesliga goals for HSV – only two players have scored more as teenagers for them: Son Heung-min (eight) and Peter Lubeke (seven).

Vuskovic is now the joint-top scorer for them in the 2025-26 season, alongside Fabio Viera.

MATCH PREDICTION: BAYER LEVERKUSEN WIN

Leverkusen are unbeaten in 19 Bundesliga matches against promoted sides (W15 D4), with their last such defeat coming in March 2021 against Arminia Bielefeld (1-2).

This is a club record, and among current Bundesliga teams, only RB Leipzig are on a longer unbeaten run against promoted sides (40).

HSV have only won one of their last eight Bundesliga matches against Leverkusen (D1 L6).

At home, the Werkself have won six times in a row against HSV – among the current Bundesliga teams, only against Eintracht Frankfurt do Leverkusen have a longer winning streak at home (11).

HSV have won on the last matchday in each of their last four Bundesliga seasons (from 2014-15 to 2017-18). Among current Bundesliga clubs, only Union Berlin have a longer winning streak on the last matchday in the competition (six).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bayer Leverkusen – 70.3%

Draw – 17%

Hamburger SV – 12.7%