- Debutant Sears shines as US women rally to beat Iceland
- Sainz achieves wish with one more win for Ferrari
- Japan PM under pressure after debacle election
- Timothee Chalamet crashes his own look-alike contest
- McLaren say Verstappen penalties 'not enough' after 'ridiculous' Mexico move
- Eight-try Toulouse flatten Toulon to go top of Top 14
- Ohtani expected to play in World Series game three after injury scare: Roberts
- Centre-left opposition leads in Lithuania election
- Sainz wins Mexico Grand Prix as Norris makes most of Verstappen penalty
- Trump leads New York rally as Harris targets grassroots
- Centre-lift opposition leads in Lithuania election
- Injured Springbok Willemse to miss November Tests
- NFL Browns upset Ravens while Tagovailoa loses in comeback
- Yildiz saves Juve in eight-goal thriller at Inter as Napoli pull away
- Bolivia's ex-president blames govt as shots fired at him
- Japan ruling coalition projected to lose majority in election
- Yildiz drags Juve back from brink in eight-goal thriller at Inter
- Ford added to England squad for New Zealand clash
- Faltering Atletico stumble again at Real Betis
- Ohtani to play World Series game three after injury scare - report
- In uncertain US election, two prestige papers refuse to pick sides
- England's Slade eager to face New Zealand after Exeter return
- 'Venom' still kills, topping N.American box office
- Conservatives top Bulgarian elections but fall short of majority
- Liverpool hold Arsenal in Premier League title clash, Man Utd beaten
- Chelsea's Palmer reminds Maresca of Blues favourite Zola
- Bayern thump Bochum to retake Bundesliga top spot
- Salah strikes late as Liverpool snatch draw at title rivals Arsenal
- Georgia opposition calls election results protests as president accuses Russia
- Egypt proposes two-day Gaza truce in hope of full ceasefire
- Ex-president of Bolivia blames government as shots fired at him
- Beaten Man Utd only lacking good fortune, claims Ten Hag
- Postecoglou says Spurs out-battled in Crystal Palace loss
- EU urges Georgia vote probe as ex-president calls for mass protests
- Malinin wins Skate Canada for North American Grand Prix double
- Mpetshi Perricard powers to 'amazing' first ATP 500 title in Basel
- Bayern thump Bochum to retake top spot
- West Ham pile more pressure on Ten Hag, Palmer fires Chelsea to victory
- Balotelli set for Italy return with injury-hit strugglers Genoa
- Japan ruling coalition projected to miss majority in election
- Netanyahu declares Iran strike a success as Israel pounds Lebanon, Gaza
- Draper holds off Khachanov for first ATP 500 title in Vienna
- Left seeks to unseat conservative in Uruguay president vote
- 'Failing' Judge vows to dig Yankees out of World Series hole
- Leon Marchand savours break from post-Olympics glare
- Ex-president of Bolivia says 14 shots fired at his car
- Netanyahu hails 'precise' strike on Iran as Israel pounds Lebanon, Gaza
- Steen Olsen wins World Cup opener as Hirscher wows on comeback
- Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed vote
- Japan ruling party projected to miss majority in election
Leverkusen chase invincibility with Bundesliga title in sight
Hosting Werder Bremen on Sunday just one win away from a first Bundesliga title, Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen have their sights set on something even bigger: invincibility.
With 24 wins and four draws in the league this season, Leverkusen are on the cusp of going through a Bundesliga season undefeated.
Not even the mighty Bayern Munich, who have 33 German titles, have managed an unbeaten season in the league.
The unprecedented achievement has led to calls for Alonso's side to receive a golden Bundesliga shield.
In an interview published Thursday on German sport site Kicker, Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky said his relentless side would not let up should they beat Bremen on Sunday.
"We want to create something even more special than the championship: finish the league season without defeat.
"If we become champions on Sunday, it will have no impact on how we play in the league," said Hradecky, explaining "we need to live up to our role (as champions)."
Alonso has repeatedly said this season that his side -- who are also well-placed to reach the Europa League semi-finals and are in the German Cup final -- should not get ahead of themselves.
Hradecky, who admitted he had "almost written off the possibility of winning the title" before this season, said keeping the run going was "motivation enough".
"Becoming champions would be outstanding. But there are only five games left (after Sunday) and we won't let up."
"Then it wouldn't just be a championship, but one with a cherry on top."
Bayern, who host struggling Cologne, and Stuttgart, who are at home to Frankfurt, are on 60 points.
If both Bayern and Stuttgart lose on Saturday, Leverkusen will be champions even before they take the pitch against Bremen.
While each and every Leverkusen fan would have taken that deal before the season start, Alonso's men will no doubt want to seal the deal on their own terms -- and in front of their long-suffering fans.
"We have many chances -- thankfully -- but we'll try and do it on Sunday," Alonso said on Thursday after Leverkusen extended their unbeaten run to 42 games in all competitions with a 2-0 win over West Ham in the Europa League quarter-finals.
"We must be motivated, but not over-motivated."
One to watch: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen)
Although Bayer Leverkusen's swashbuckling forwards have commanded the column inches this season, their achievements have been built on the foundation set by midfield enforcer Robert Andrich.
Andrich's story mirrors that of that of Leverkusen -- a promising player with potential unrealised before the arrival of Xabi Alonso.
The 29-year-old celebrated his Germany debut this season, one of seven Leverkusen players to receive a first national team call-up this campaign.
Andrich said he struggled to comprehend what winning the title could mean.
"I don't even think I can describe it," Andrich said Wednesday on the Einfach Mal Luppen podcast.
"At that moment I might just collapse," Andrich said, explaining "I probably won't realise what we've done until I'm on vacation."
Key stats
76 - Bayer Leverkusen have 76 points with six games remaining. Last year, Bayern and Dortmund finished on 71 after 34 games, with the Bavarians winning the title on goal difference.
0 - No team has ever gone through a Bundesliga season unbeaten.
11 - Bayern Munich have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles.
Fixtures (1330 GMT unless stated)
Friday
Augsburg v Union Berlin (1830)
Saturday
Bayern Munich v Cologne, Mainz v Hoffenheim, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Borussia Dortmund, Bochum v Heidenheim, RB Leipzig v Wolfsburg, Stuttgart v Eintracht Frankfurt (1630)
Sunday
Darmstadt v Freiburg, Bayer Leverkusen v Werder Bremen (1530)
J.Oliveira--AMWN