Bayer Leverkusen - FK Qarabag predictions and free betting tips [14/03/2024]

On Thursday 14, as part of the second leg of the Europa League 1/8 finals, Bayer Leverkusen will host Qarabağ at home. Bayer had to bounce back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2:2 draw last week - will the Azerbaijani club pull off another sensation?

Predicted Squads

Bayer: Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Adli, Wirtz; Schick.
Qarabağ: Lunyov; Vesovic, Mustafazada, Guseynov, Cafarquliyev; Romao, Jankovic; L. Andrade, Benzia, Zoubir; Juninho.

Stadium

The match will take place in Leverkusen at the BayArena.

Bayer 

Last Thursday, Bayer Leverkusen were perilously close to their first defeat of the season: the German team trailed by two goals during the match, equalising in the final minutes (2:2). In the group stage, Javi Alonso's team surpassed all rivals, taking first place and outpacing the same Qarabağ, Molde and Häcken (scoring 18 points out of a possible 18). Having lost to Roma in last season's Europa League semi-finals, Leverkusen are now aiming to reach their first European cup final since the 2001-02 campaign.

The red-and-blacks also performed well in the Bundesliga and are on their way to claiming their first title of the 21st century - a 10-point lead over Bayern Munich seems insurmountable. Last weekend, the hosts thrashed Wolfsburg at home (2:0) - Nathan Tella and Wirtz scored a goal each after Mortiz Jenz's early red card. Alonso's charges are looking to become the second team in the history of the UEFA Cup and Europa League to score four or more goals in four consecutive home fixtures. 

Qarabağ

Qarabağ were very close to becoming the first team to defeat Bayer Leverkusen this season. However, the black-and-whites failed to hold on to a two-goal advantage (goals from Yasin Benzia and Juninho) and only managed a 2:2 draw, which may not be enough to advance further. In the national championship, the capital's team has a 24-point advantage over its nearest rivals and is sure to clinch the title in the coming weeks.

Recently, Gurban Gurbanov's charges registered thrashing victories over Gabala (0:4) and Neftchi (1:4), and last weekend beat Zira 3:1. It's worth noting that in each of their last five Europa League matches, the visitors scored at least twice, but haven't kept a clean sheet in their last 17 continental fixtures. Qarabağ's results away from home are truly enviable: eight consecutive victories, with only 7 goals conceded. 

Head-to-head encounters

Bayer defeated Qarabağ 5:1 at home, and then narrowly won in Azerbaijan in the group stage of the current Europa League campaign.

Prediction for the match Bayer vs Qarabağ

This time, Alonso will field a full strength Leverkusen, so expect maximum effort and motivation from the hosts. It's worth underlining that Bayer is undefeated this season and vastly outclasses Qarabağ in terms of personnel. The visitors will try to play on the counterattack, but Bayer's high pressing has time and again cracked open such opponents. My prediction is a victory for the favourite with a handicap of -2.

Over/under prediction

Even in Azerbaijan, a semi-regular German side managed to net twice - with the support of their home crowd, the hosts will certainly score a minimum of three goals against Qarabağ.

Corner prediction

Bayer will dominate the match and siege the visitors' goal from the first minute - I expect Leverkusen to win the corners in the first half with a handicap of -1.5.

Yellow card prediction

Qarabağ are inferior to their opponent in class and will spend more time in defense - fouls are inevitable, meaning the visitors will get at least three yellow cards.

Score prediction

I predict a precise score of 3:0 in favour of Bayer.