FK Qarabag - Bayer Leverkusen predictions and free betting tips [07/03/2024]

Today within the frame of the first 1/8 final match of the Europa League, "Qarabagh" will host Bayer Leverkusen on their home ground. While the "pharmacists" racked up a maximum of 18 points in Group H, the black-and-whites have already bypassed "Braga" in the preliminary round of the play-offs.     

Qarabag

Qarabag has reached the 1/8 finals of the Europa League for the first time in its history, managing to gather 10 points in Group H and surpass "Molde" and "Helsingborg". Notably, it was during the play-offs that the Azerbaijani club really shone, producing a striking performance in the first match against "Braga" (an away win with a score of 2:4). In the second match, the hosts lost 0:2 in the main 90 minutes, but then managed to score two goals by Mateus Silva and Nariman Axundzada in the closing minutes of extra time (1:2). The Azerbaijan Championship is coming to an end, and with a 23-point gap from the second place, it's hard to imagine how Gurban Gurbanov's pupils won't secure their 11th national title. In the past weeks, Qarabag claimed two sweeping victories over "Gabala" (0:4) and "Neftchi" (1:4). However, the team has only won one of the last four home games.   

For the black-and-whites, only defender Medina is injured, while midfielders Almeida (direct red card) and Romao, and defender Kafarkuliav have accumulated too many yellow cards and are suspended. Yakovich, Zubir (6 goals this season) and Juninho (15 goals in 25 championship matches) – some of the heroes of the first match against "Braga" – are sure to start on Thursday. Not to forget the experienced Benzema (9 goals), Frenchman Keita (6), forwards Andrade (7), Bayramov (7), and local young talent Axundzada (4). The team's head coach, Gurban Gurbanov, recently visited Bayer's base to study Xabi Alonso's working methods and now the 51-year-old specialist aims to outdo one of Europe's most sought-after coaches at the moment. 

Bayer

Of course, many accolades have already been bestowed upon Bayer Leverkusen, which continues to amaze fans from weekend to weekend not only with their results but also with their vibrant style of play. Xabi Alonso's pupils have achieved 34 victories in the current campaign – for instance against "Mainz" (2:1) and "Cologne" (0:2) over the past weekend – and continue to increase their lead over Munich's "Bayern", which lags behind the "pharmacists" by 10 points, striving for a historic first title for the club. The sending-off of the "goats" forward Yan Thillmann in the 14th minute influenced the course of the match, and "Bayer" managed to snatch three points thanks to precise shots by Jeremy Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo. As we mentioned earlier, the Germans impressed (6/6 victories) in the group stage of the Europa League and reached the 1/8 finals for the third year in a row. 

Their best result in this tournament was achieved last year, when Leverkusen lost to "Roma" in the semi-finals. The Germans can rely on the return of Palacios and Augusto to the main group, unlike Bonfica, who's sidelined for more than a month with a groin injury. Otherwise, Alonso is unlikely to spring any surprises in the starting line-up. Grimaldo (9 goals, 8 assists) and Frimpong (8 goals, 6 assists) remain the most productive full-backs in Europe, and both will be covering their flanks on Thursday. In midfield, Hofmann (5 goals, 5 assists) and Wirtz (5 goals, 10 assists) along with Tella (4 goals, 1 assist) prove their worth, with the experienced Patrick Schick holding down the centre-forward spot. 

Head to Head

The teams met each other in the group stage of the current LE season, and then "Bayer" came out on top twice: 0:1 and 5:1. 

Match prediction: Qarabag – Bayer

Qarabag was an underdog in the previous round as well but surprisingly knocked out Braga. Now they are facing a different level of opponent – Bayer is having a phenomenal season and pounding teams in all the tournaments. The visitors have a six-match winning streak, and there are no personnel problems. Considering the difference in the players' class and experience, it's reasonable to bet on the "pharmacists" victory with a -1 handicap.