Qarabag – Bayer Leverkusen : Preview & Prediction
What a season it has been so far for Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ, who find themselves in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League after sealing an impressive 6-5 aggregate win over Braga in the playoff round. Not only have the home side become the first team from their homeland to reach this stage of a major European competition, but they also have a 23-point lead at the top of their domestic league.
That should mean that all their attention can be focused on this first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, as these two teams meet for the third time in this season’s tournament. However, Qarabağ were defeated both times in the group stage, and their record of just one win in their last four official home matches – they conceded more than three goals in three of those games – could prove problematic in this encounter against one of the strongest teams in Europe.
After winning each of their six Europa League group stage matches, Leverkusen will make this long trip east full of confidence, especially as their unbeaten run in Germany was extended further over the weekend. After defeating arch-rivals Cologne 2-0, “Die Werkself” are now unbeaten in 34 matches (G30, E4) in all competitions this season and extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to an impressive ten points, inching ever closer to their first league title.
Leverkusen have been particularly strong on the road of late, winning 13 of their last 14 official away matches (E1), seven of which were accompanied by a clean sheet. Remarkably, in ten of those matches the German side also scored more than two goals, a trend they will be eager to continue here in Baku as they look to take home a big advantage in this first leg.
Players to watch: Qarabag’s Juninho has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, with his last three coming between the 55th and 65th minutes, including one in the UEL. Leverkusen’s Álex Grimaldo scored his 11th goal of the season at the weekend, two of which came in the UEL group stage in a brace against Qarabağ.
Standout Fact: Qarabağ has picked up 25 yellow cards in the UEL this season, the second most of any team in the competition (excluding the qualifying round).
Qarabag – Bayer Leverkusen : Betting Tips
Bayer Leverkusen – Win Odds: 1.55
