A spot in the top 8 of the league phase is up for grabs for Bayer Leverkusen, which would allow them to bypass a round and move directly into the last 16. The odds are heavily in their favor, as they’ll be playing at home against a Sparta Prague side that has already been eliminated from the Champions League. However, the Czech club could still be motivated to give one final push and try to upset the odds in this last match.
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Leverkusen’s loss to Atletico Madrid in the previous matchday was a tough blow, as it could have made their path to qualification much smoother. Still, they remain within the top 8, but they’re far from secure – several teams are on the same point tally and could easily overtake them. Fortunately for Xabi Alonso and his men, they’ll be playing at home, where they’ve been flawless in the Champions League, winning all three of their home matches and keeping clean sheets in each. With the margins between Leverkusen and their rivals being so tight, goal difference could become crucial, and it’s highly likely that Die Werkself will be aiming to boost theirs in this vital final match.
Sparta Prague Team News
Sparta Prague’s Champions League campaign started with promise, earning 4 points from their first two matches. However, since then, they’ve suffered a complete collapse, losing their last five fixtures and leaving them eliminated with little to play for except their pride. A potential motivator for Sparta is the chance to break their 15-game winless streak in away Champions League matches. However, given their current form and the tough opposition they face in Leverkusen, the prospect of claiming all three points here seems more like a distant hope than a realistic possibility for the Czech side.
Head-to-Head-Games
Bayer Leverkusen and Sparta Prague have met just once, back in the 2007 UEFA Cup group stage. The German side managed to snatch a slim 1-0 home victory back then.
Bayer Leverkusen – Sparta Prague Betting Prediction
For this match, I’m going with a Bayer Leverkusen win and over 3.5 goals. Xabi Alonso’s side needs nothing less than three points to secure their place in the top 8, and with the tight margins between them and several other teams, goal difference could end up being crucial. Leverkusen have a real opportunity to improve their goal difference here, especially with Sparta Prague having little left to play for. Given the stakes for the home side and the form of their opponents, I expect an attacking performance and plenty of goals in this one.
Betting Tip: Bayer Leverkusen To Win & Over 3.5 Goals
Bookmaker: BC.Game
Odds: 1.85
BC.Game
Place your bet on Bayer Leverkusen – Sparta Prague at BC.Game