Bayer Leverkusen vs Qarabag FK Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 12/03/2024, 14:00  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 14/03/2024 at 08:00 in Europa League Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen will lock horns with Qarabag in the second leg of the Round of 16 in the Europa League on Thursday evening. The tie is delicately poised at 2-2, with everything still to play for. Bayer Leverkusen are enjoying an incredible 2023-24 season and are on course to dethrone perennial Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, having opened up a ten-point gap over the Bavarians. However, their trip to Azerbaijan last week almost ended very poorly after finding themselves two goals down before the halftime whistle. Florian Wirtz and Patrik Schick saved Die Werkself’s blushes, though, netting in the 70th and final minute to salvage their side a draw. The hosts now return to BayArena, where they have been near-perfect this season. Across 20 home games in all competitions, Leverkusen are unbeaten this term, boasting a record of 18 wins and just two draws in that time. The Bundesliga leaders are unbeaten in their last three matches against this opponent and are the favourites in this one. 

Meanwhile, Qarabag will be gutted with failing to hold on to their two-goal advantage from the first leg, especially having lost to this opponent in both group-stage matches earlier in the competition. They will certainly not have fond memories heading to Leverkusen either, following a 5-1 drubbing at this venue back in November. However, their bright start in last week’s contest was impressive, and they will need a similarly fast start here to put the pressure on the massively fancied hosts. The Horsemen have a stranglehold on their domestic league, currently leading the standings by a whopping 24 points. They beat Zira 3-1 at home over the weekend, extending their current unbeaten streak to five matches in all competitions. In addition, they are on an eight-match winning streak in away games in all competitions and unbeaten in their last ten. Can they become the first side to claim a victory at BayArena this season?