Qarabag and Bayer Leverkusen will face off against each other in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, with the first leg set to take place at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, on March 7, 2024.
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen Predictions: 07/03/2024
Following the Europa League round of 16 draw, it means Bayer Leverkusen and Qarabag will cross paths again for the second time in the same competition this season. Both teams met in the group stage, and it was the German outfit Bayer who dominated across both legs with a huge 5-1 win in Germany in the first leg and a tight 1-0 win in Azerbaijan in the return leg.
Despite losing both group stage matches to Bayer Leverkusen, the Azerbaijan giants still managed to finish in the 2nd position in Group H to set up a knockout stage encounter against Braga, who dropped from the Champions League as the 3rd best team in their group. Both legs were intense, but two extra-time goals from Qarabag helped them nullify whatever chance Braga had to go any further in the Europa League competition.
A lot has since happened in Qarabag's progress in the Europa League, but they are presented yet another chance to show they deserve to go any further in the competition when they come up against one of the favourites in the competition, Bayer Leverkusen, in the round of 16.
For the Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction, we predict Bayer Leverkusen to win 2-1. Qarabag struggled to keep up with Bayer's pace and intensity, and since their last encounter, the German side has only improved their playing style, plus they recorded an impressive 3-0 win over reigning German champions, Bayern Munich, to brag about.
Prediction: Qarabag 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips
Because both teams are good goal-scoring sides, we also predict that at least three goals will be scored and both teams will get on the scoreboard.
Tip 1: Both teams to score - YES
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals
Tip: 3 Bayer Leverkusen to win
Tip 4: Florian Wirtz (Bayer) to provide 1+ assist
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen - Preview & Team News
Qarabag started their Europa League charge with a tight 1-0 win over Molde, and went on to strengthen their chances of finishing in the top 2 when they secured yet another 1-0 win, but this time, it was against Hacken and away from home. However, their winning run and dream to finish as the group leaders hit a sharp turn after they succumbed to back-to-back defeats to Bayer Leverkusen, who went on to finish the group stage at the top of Group H with 18 points, without a slide.
The Azerbaijan outfits finished behind Bayer with 10 points to set up a knockout stage clash with Champions League dropouts, Braga. They stunned many football fans when they secured a big 4-2 win over Braga in Portugal and went on to make the encounter more exciting when they scored two extra-time goals to knockout Braga, who were minutes away, to take the game to penalty shootouts with a 3-1 score at 115 minutes. These goals came after Qarabag were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute.
Bayer Leverkusen remain excellent in the competition, having won all six of their group stage matches. They conceded just three goals in six matches, but scored 19 goals across in the process. The Bundesliga leaders are clearly one of the top 2 favourites to win the Europa League title this season, but they will have to prove that again when they face Qarabag for the third and fourth times in this competition.
Xabi Alonso's side didn't take part in this month's knockout stage because they finished as the winners of Group H. The group winners of each group gain automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Qarabag Team News
Elvin Cafarguliyev received two yellow cards in the return leg against Braga in the knockout stage, and will miss the first leg of the round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen. Qarabag didn't report any injury issues after both matches against Braga. Julio Romao will also miss the game after accumulating seven yellow cards in 11 games. No injury issue was reported.
Qarabag Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lunyov, Vesovic, Mustafazada, Guseynov, Bayramov, Jankovic, Andrade, Axundzadə, Benzia, Zoubir, Juninho
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Arthur is currently on the sidelines with a muscle injury, and he has no return date as of now. Victor Boniface has also been injured since January with an adducto injury, which prevented him from participating in the AFCON 2023 but he's likely to return to action in April. Exequiel Palacious will also miss both legs against Qarabag with a muscle injury. Noah Mbamba is not eligible to participate in the Europa League this season.
Bayer Leverkusen Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Hradecky, Hincapie, Tah, Stanisic, ,Grimaldo, Andrich, Xhaka, Frimpong, Wirtz, Adli, Schick
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen Head-to-Head
Both teams met for the first time in any European competition last year during the Europa League group stage, and Bayer won both matches.
Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 Qarabag
Qarabag 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Latest Form
Qarabag: (2W 1D 2L)
Bayer Leverkusen: (5W 0D 0L)
Where to watch Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Australia: Stan Sport
- Brazil: HBO Max
- Spain: Movistar+
- UK: BT Sport App, BTSport.com
- US: VIX+, Paramount+