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

Prediction published on 07/03/2024, 10:00  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 07/03/2024 at 10:06 in Europa League Prediction

The chase for a treble is on as Bayer Leverkusen travels to Azerbaijan to take on Qarabag in the Europa League. These two sides met at the group stage and Leverkusen posted a 6-1 aggregate win. Qarabag, who lost 1-0 in the home tie, will be keen to avenge that. A dramatic 6-5 aggregate win over Braga in the knockout playoffs saw Qarabag make it to this stage for the first time in their history. They know the task ahead is tedious but they will be out to shock the German high-fliers. To warm up for this game, Qarabag thumped Neftchi Baku 4-1 in their domestic league. That was their third straight win, which saw them extend their lead in the league to 60 points, opening a 23-point gap. The Horsemen have a solid record at home which will have them positive going into this game. They’ve won seven of their last 10 home matches and scored two or more in nine of the 10 home games. Gurban Gurbanov's charges have however managed just two wins in five Europa League home games. They have two losses in their last two home matches in Europe. One of the losses was at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen are yet to taste defeat this season. They opened up a 10-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga with a 2-0 win over Cologne. That was their sixth straight win in all competitions. The German side is unbeaten in 34 matches this season, winning 30. The attention now shifts to continental action where they seek to better last season’s performance. In 2022/23, Leverkusen reached the Europa League semis. Having triumphed home and away over Qarabag in the group stages, Leverkusen will be confident coming here. They will be unfazed at having to play away from home, carrying a five-game winning run to this encounter. The two wins over Qarabag at the group stages were just a part of the six wins in six at that level. Leverkusen have lost just once in their last 13 Europa League matches. Xabi Alonso’s side has also won six of the last seven away matches in Europa League. The only downside for the visitors will be with the injuries they carry here. Victor Boniface, who scored home and away in the group stages will miss this game with injury.