Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal – prediction, team news, lineups

Bayer Leverkusen will host Villarreal on the BayArena on Matchday Eight of the Champions League, with either side in pressing want of a constructive outcome to maintain their knockout-stage hopes alive.

Leverkusen are nonetheless inside touching distance of qualification, whereas Villarreal arrive in Germany going through near-certain elimination after a torrid European marketing campaign.

Match preview

Bayer Leverkusen come into this pivotal European fixture on the again of a morale-boosting 1-0 house win over Werder Bremen in home competitors, a outcome that steadied nerves following a troublesome spell.

Nonetheless, their Champions League marketing campaign has been far much less convincing, with the German facet managing simply two wins, three attracts and two defeats from their seven league-phase matches, leaving them on 9 factors and sitting twentieth within the expanded 36-team desk.

In consequence, Kasper Hjulmand’s facet stay beneath strain to ship of their ultimate fixtures.

The BayArena has not been the fortress Leverkusen might need hoped for in Europe this season – they’re but to win a Champions League house sport, drawing twice and shedding as soon as, whereas their most up-to-date continental outing led to a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Olympiacos Piraeus.

Defensive frailties have been a recurring theme, with Leverkusen scoring 10 objectives and conceding 14 throughout seven matches, leaving them with a purpose distinction of minus 4.

Throughout all competitions, they’ve received two and misplaced three of their final 5 matches, underlining their inconsistency.

That stated, their longer-term European house type gives encouragement, having misplaced simply two of their final 17 house UEFA competitors matches (W10 D5), though they enter this contest with no win of their final 4 (D2 L2).

Villarreal, in the meantime, journey to Germany in determined circumstances, having collected only one level from seven Champions League matches, leaving them thirty fifth within the standings and observing early elimination.

Marcelino Garcia’s facet have suffered six defeats within the competitors, with their solely constructive outcome coming in a draw, and their newest setback was a painful 2-1 house defeat to Ajax Amsterdam regardless of taking the lead.

Their struggles have been notably evident away from house, the place Villarreal have misplaced all three of their league-phase fixtures.

Actually, they’ve been crushed of their final 4 UEFA competitors away matches with out scoring a single purpose.

Current type throughout all competitions gives little respite, with two wins and three defeats from their final 5 video games, highlighting points that reach past Europe.

Traditionally, Villarreal maintain the higher hand on this fixture, remaining unbeaten of their 4 earlier UEFA conferences with Leverkusen – three wins, one draw.

Nonetheless, the hosts have misplaced simply considered one of their final eight house UEFA matches in opposition to Spanish sides and arrive on a run of three straight wins.

Villarreal, in the meantime, are winless of their final 10 Champions League matches.

Bayer Leverkusen Champions League type:

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Bayer Leverkusen type (all competitions):

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Villarreal Champions League type:

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Villarreal type (all competitions):

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Workforce Information

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Leverkusen can be with out goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who stays sidelined with a knee damage, whereas Edmond Tapsoba can also be unavailable resulting from a muscular subject.

Nathan Tella is just not anticipated to return from his foot damage till mid-February, whereas Eliesse Ben Seghir additionally stays out after sustaining an damage whereas on worldwide responsibility with Morocco on the Africa Cup of Nations.

Janis Blaswich ought to proceed in purpose, with Jarell Quansah, Robert Andrich and Loic Bade anticipated to type the again three.

Patrik Schick, who appeared from the bench in Leverkusen’s earlier Champions League outing, is prone to return to the beginning XI.

Villarreal, in the meantime, can be with out Pau Cabanes and Willy Kambwala, each of whom are sidelined with critical knee accidents.

Juan Foyth can also be dominated out for the rest of the season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon in opposition to Actual Madrid.

Santiago Mourino is suspended after accumulating three yellow playing cards, whereas Pape Gueye may characteristic in midfield.

Marcelino could deploy Nicolas Pepe and Georges Mikautadze in superior roles as Villarreal look to pose a higher attacking menace.

Bayer Leverkusen potential beginning lineup:

Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Bade; Vazquez, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Poku; Schick

Villarreal potential beginning lineup:

Tenas; Cardona, Veiga, Marin, Navarro; Moleiro, Gueye, Parejo, Pepe; Oluwaseyi, Moreno

We are saying: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Villarreal

Villarreal’s Champions League marketing campaign seems past saving, however they’re able to making this contest aggressive.

With qualification nonetheless inside attain, Leverkusen’s higher motivation and residential benefit ought to see them edge a slender victory on the BayArena.

For information evaluation of the most definitely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.