The Europa League returns on Thursday and Bayer Leverkusen are back in action, with a home game against Qarabag. It’s a meeting of the top two unbeaten sides in Group H, and top spot is up for grabs for the winner. 

Team News

Bundesliga’s current leaders Bayer Leverkusen clearly have other priorities heading into this match, but they will want to get their qualification sealed as soon as possible. We can expect Xabi Alonso to rotate his squad again here, especially as Ayman Aourir and Arthur are both out of action.

Adam Hložek could lead the line again, while second choice goalkeeper Matěj Kovář is expected to continue his run of games in this competition. Meanwhile, Qarabag will name the strongest team they have available, although Marko Vesovic is out with a long-term injury.

Match Odds

Bayer Leverkusen are heavy favourites to win this one at 2/11, while Qarabag are massive underdogs at 10/1. A draw can be backed at 5/1, while BTTS can be backed at 4/5. Over 2.5 goals is a short price at 4/11, while under 2.5 goals is available at 2/1. 

Bayer Leverkusen to win to nil @ 11/10

Despite having six points apiece, there is a clear disparity in quality between these two teams. Under Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen have been simply unstoppable so far this term, and Die Werkself are yet to taste defeat in any competition in 2023/24. 

They are undoubtedly, even with changes, going to dominate this fixture and it should be a relatively straightforward home win with the talent they have at their disposal. The win is a short price at 2/11, but if we expect Leverkusen to win to nil and dominate proceedings, we can produce a price of 11/10. 

Even though he has changed personnel on several occasions this season, Alonso’s managerial style means that there isn’t a drop off in quality even when the individuals change. As a result, I’m expecting a handsome home win to nil. 

Nathan Tella to score first @ 13/2

Nathan Tella got his big move from Southampton to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, but has so far only managed 40 Bundesliga minutes across four matches, with all league appearances coming from the bench.

However, the Europa League has provided Alonso with a chance to blood his new signing and he’s started both European fixtures, playing 60 and 70 minutes in each match respectively. Tella is likely to get another start here in a right forward position and given he scored in the trip to Molde, he could find the net again here. 

With the knowledge that he is likely to start above usual first choice forwards, we can take advantage of the generous 13/2 price on offer for Tella to score first. We saw last term with Burnley how devastating he can be in front of goal, and he can make his mark on the European scene here.