Bayer Leverkusen vs Dusseldorf prediction: GERMANY: DFB Pokal betting tips on match 2024-04-02 18:45.
[p]Bayer Leverkusen are aiming to make a remarkable campaign extra special by adding the DFB-Pokal trophy to a Bundesliga title come the end of the season. Xabi Alonsoâs side arenât champions yet, but the crowning moment is edging ever closer, especially after they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at home to Hoffenheim on Saturday with two late goals (2-1), meaning they finished the round 13 points clear of Bayern Munich with seven games to play. [/p]
[p]This ânever say dieâ attitude has been a big theme of Leverkusen games recently, and theyâve now netted six goals beyond the 85th minute across their past five competitive outings. They have also scored in this period in each of their last five appearances in this competition, while six straight H2H wins against opponents Fortuna DĂŒsseldorf only adds to the expectancy that theyâll progress through this semi-final tie with relative ease. [/p]
[p]While few will be expecting Bundesliga.2 outfit Fortuna to cause an upset, they will at least come into the game boasting decent form of their own. The promotion chasers have not tasted defeat in seven outings (W4, D3), scoring 2+ goals in six of those matches, signalling that they might have enough about them to at least threaten the Leverkusen backline. [/p]
[p]Irrespective of the quality gap between the two sides, Fortuna actually have a better history in this competition than their hosts, winning it twice and finishing as runners-up on five occasions, while Leverkusen have won it only once and finished second three times. And the sentimentalists amongst the Fortuna fan base might try to make the case that their name is on the trophy again given Daniel Thiouneâs men have reached this stage despite only winning in 90 minutes in two of their four matches in the competition so far. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Often fashionably late, Patrik Schick has netted Leverkusenâs final goal in each of their last three matches. Norwich City loanee Christos Tzolis is in red-hot form for the away side, netting eight goals across his last six matches. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: The eight combined DFB-Pokal games involving these two sides this season have produced 13 first-half goals. [/p]