Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Leverkusen have won four of their ten UCL matches this season, whilst the Gunners have won all eight matches.

Bayer Leverkusen Form

Leverkusen have lost just once in their last 12 matches in all competitions. However, it’s currently just one win in five fixtures. They sit sixth in the Bundesliga but they’re just three points off the top four. They finished 16^th in the League Phase in the Champions League with three wins and three draws in eight matches.

They won 2-0 at Olympiakos in their Champions League playoff first leg. A 1-0 loss at Union Berlin came before a 0-0 home draw vs Olympiakos to progress to the round of 16. They’ve played three league matches since then, drawing twice and winning once. A 1-1 home draw vs Mainz was followed by a 1-0 win at HSV. On Saturday, they conceded in the 86^th minute to draw 3-3 at Freiburg.

Bayer Leverkusen Team Newss

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has missed the last two months of action and is set to miss this match. Centre back Loic Balde is carrying a hamstring injury and right back Lucas Vazquez is absent.

Right back Arthur won’t play any part and former Southampton forward Nathan Tella is an injury doubt. Patrick Schick is also set to miss out as Leverkusen’s forward options are depleted.

Bayer Leverkusen Motivation

Leverkusen are huge underdogs for this match. Their tactics will reflect that fact.

They will try to nick a home win and have something to fight for at the Emirates next week.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal sit seven points clear in the league table having played one match more than rivals Man City. Their into the FA Cup quarter-finals and they’re in the Carabao Cup final. Their last ten league matches have seen them drop points on five occasions though.

A galling 2-2 draw at Wolves came after leading 2-0. They thrashed Tottenham 4-1 with a 20-6 shot count. The Gunners beat Chelsea 2-1 at home on Sunday but they rode their luck at times and won 1-0 at Brighton in a defensive display. On Saturday, a second-string XI won 2-1 at Mansfield Town in the FA Cup.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Merino is ruled out and both Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard need late fitness tests. William Saliba is nursing an ankle injury and may not be fit to play in this match.

Riccardo Calafiori is nursing an injury and Ben White is ruled out. Mikel Arteta must decide between Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze in midfield.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners will target a first leg win here. They will aim for a clean sheet, but they may also see this as match they can win by more than one goal.

Arsenal have Everton on Saturday and will want to ensure next week’s second leg vs Leverkusen is not a must-win.

Key Stats

• Leverkusen have won just 1 of their last 5 matches
• Leverkusen have seen just 1 team on target in 6 of their 7 UCL matches this season
• Arsenal have won all 8 of their UCL matches this season (23-4 aggregate)
• Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli has scored 6 goals in the Champions League this season

Verdict

Arsenal far too strong for Leverkusen. I see them winning by 2+ goals in this first leg.

Best Bet: Arsenal win to zero at 2.45

Alternate Bet: Arsenal win (-1 handicap) at 2.30

Goalscorer tip: Martinelli to score anytime at 3.35