Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-08 17:45.
After winning two of their opening three UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage outings this season (L1), Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ will be keen to keep that impressive start going on their return to Tofiq Bahramov Stadium. Having qualified for the knockout stages of European competition just once before in club history via a top two group stage finish, the hosts now go in search of a sizable scalp as Bayer Leverkusen come to town.
A 5-1 loss to the German side last time out in the competition will have shaken Qarabağ’s confidence, but their preparation for the return leg saw them win 7-1 on the domestic front over the weekend. That will have been a great confidence booster and their current unbeaten nine-match streak on home soil should also leave the hosts optimistic here (W7, D2), as too should their 13-game unbeaten run at home in European competition (W7, D6), especially as their visitors face a lengthy journey before the clash.
The reigning Azerbaijani champions will have to be at their very best to stop the juggernaut that is Leverkusen though, especially as they won again at the weekend in a 3-2 Bundesliga victory against Hoffenheim. That kept up the visitors unbeaten start to the campaign across all fronts that now stands at 15 outings (W14, D1), form that finds them at the summit of the Bundesliga and Group H in the UEL!
Leverkusen will also be looking to make history in this outing by winning all four of their opening matches in a major European campaign for the first time. Their success has been built on some free scoring form, especially as their 11 UEL goals this season have been scored by eight different players – the most different goalscorers from any side in the competition!
Players to watch: Qarabağ’s Juninho has netted 11 times this season across all competitions, seven of which have served as match openers. Meanwhile, Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz loves this tournament as he has 22 goal contributions (G10, A12) across 25 previous UEL matches – the most of any player since his competition debut!
Hot stat: Qarabag have failed to beat German opposition across their seven prior meetings with such teams in European competition (D1, L6).