Bayer 04 Leverkusen have been on a rollercoaster ride during the 2015/16 campaign, but appear to be on the up entering the final straight. - © © gettyimages
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have been on a rollercoaster ride during the 2015/16 campaign, but appear to be on the up entering the final straight. - © © gettyimages

Final stretch form check: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

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The 2015/16 Bundesliga campaign is drawing to a close, but with seven rounds of matches remaining, all 18 teams still have plenty to play for as they look to get the most out of one of the most exciting seasons in the history of Germany’s top flight.

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But how are things shaping up heading into the final stretch and how good are each side's chances of reaching their targets? Next under the bundesliga.com spotlight is Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Overview: click here for each club's form check

- © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA

Story so far

    Leverkusen's form has been inconsistent of late. After three straight defeats, Die Werkself turned a corner and went into the international break with back-to-back victories over Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart.Roger Schmidt's team no longer have UEFA Europa League football to worry about after succumbing to Villarreal CF in the Last 16, while Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Stefan Kießling and Ömer Toprak are all making their way back to full fitness.Leverkusen, in sixth, are only two points away from FC Schalke 04 in the fourth and final UEFA Champions League qualifying place.

Still to play for

    Leverkusen find themselves in an all or nothing situation. A top-four finish is still within reach, but they could just as easily fall out of the European qualification spots altogether. Fourth place, and with it a berth in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, remains a realistic target for Schmidt's men.Providing they do not drop points before then, it could ultimately be the games against Schalke (Matchday 31) and Borussia Mönchengladbach (Matchday 33) that prove decisive in determining Leverkusen’s fate.However, Bayer 04 have to tread carefully, as seventh-placed 1. FSV Mainz 05 just one point behind them and VfL Wolfsburg within a win of closing the gap to a point when the two sides lock horns on Matchday 28.