Bayer Leverkusen welcome Arsenal for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 bout on Tuesday. While the Gunners finished atop the league phase, Leverkusen ended 16th before reaching the knockouts via the play-offs.
Kasper Hjulmand’s Leverkusen are coming off a 3-3 Bundesliga draw at SC Freiburg at the weekend. Die Werkself came from behind twice to lead before Frieburg snatched an equaliser four minutes from time.
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Sixth in the Bundesliga after 25 games, Leverkusen beat Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate in the knockout play-offs to book a date with the Gunners, against whom they are winless in two Champions League games, losing one.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are fresh off a hard-fought 2-1 win at League One side Mannsfield Town to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Eberechi Eze bagging a 66th-minute winner.
The Premier League leaders now turn their attention to Europe, where they produced a historic league phase campaign, becoming the first team to win all eight matches in the competition’s current format.
On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Leverkusen-Arsenal Champions League showdown at the Bay Arena:
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal head-to-head stats and key numbers
- The two teams have met twice in the Champions League, both times in the 2001-02 second group stage.
- The Gunners drew 1-1 in Leverkusen before winning 4-1 at Highbury eight days later, with Robert Pires scoring in both games.
- Leverkusen are unbeaten in six home games across competitions, winning four, including two in the Champions League.
- Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in 13 road outings across competitions, winning 10, including the last three.
- Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Leverkusen: D-W-D-D-L; Arsenal: W-W-W-W-D
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal prediction
The two teams have had contrasting campaigns, especially in Europe. While Leverkusen huffed and puffed their way to the knockouts after winning only three of eight league phase games, the Gunners were imperious, winning all eight.
There isn’t much head-to-head history between the two teams, having not met in 24 years. Leverkusen have won three of their last eight meetings with English sides, losing one, and have emerged victorious in four of their last five two-legged matchups with English clubs.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have lost five of their last six away games in Germany, winning one, with that win coming earlier this season, a 3-1 victory over Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen have one just once in their last five games, while the Gunners have won three more in the same span. Morever, considering their superior pedigree and quality, Mikel Arteta’s side should take a win.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-3 Arsenal
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal betting tips
Tip-1: Arsenal to win
Tip-1: Leverkusen to score (They have done so in their last three games.)
Tip-3: Over 2.5 goals
Edited by Bhargav