Bayer Leverkusen welcome Red Bull Salzburg to the BayArena on Tuesday evening for a crucial Champions League clash.
The Bundesliga heavyweights are looking to bounce back from their recent 4-0 defeat against Liverpool, while the Austrian side seek to build on their 3-1 win over Feyenoord.
Match Preview
Leverkusen have enjoyed a mixed start to their European campaign, collecting seven points from their opening three games.
Xabi Alonso’s side currently occupy 13th place in the 36-team Champions League table.
The German outfit have been boosted by Patrik Schick’s hat-trick in their 5-2 Bundesliga victory over Heidenheim on Saturday, but they will be without several key attackers due to injury.
Salzburg, on the other hand, have struggled in Europe this season, losing their first three matches before securing a much-needed 3-1 win over Feyenoord.
Pep Lijnders’ young team remain outside the playoff spots in 30th place in the Champions League standings and have lost their last two domestic fixtures against Blau-Weiss Linz and LASK Linz.
Leverkusen’s recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins, two draws, and two defeats in their last six matches across all competitions.
The Bundesliga side’s 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield marked their first Champions League defeat of the season, but they bounced back with an impressive 5-2 victory over Heidenheim at the weekend.
Salzburg, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency, winning just two of their last six matches in all competitions.
Their 3-1 triumph over Feyenoord in the Champions League was a rare bright spot, but the Austrian side have since lost back-to-back domestic fixtures.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Bayer Leverkusen and Red Bull Salzburg. The German champions have an impressive record against Austrian opponents in Europe, winning three of their five previous encounters and drawing the other two.
Team News
Leverkusen will be without several key players, including striker Victor Boniface, midfielders Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli, and winger Martin Terrier.
Jeremie Frimpong is also a doubt after picking up a knock in the win over Heidenheim.
For Salzburg, goalkeeper Alexander Schlager returns from suspension, but the visitors will be missing several injured players, including Bryan Okoh, Leandro Morgalla, and Takumu Kawamura.
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Bayer Leverkusen: (4-4-2)
Hradecky;
Tella, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie;
Garcia, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo;
Wirtz, Schick
Red Bull Salzburg: (4-3-3)
Schlager;
Dedic, Baidoo, Piatkowski, Terzic;
Diambou, Gourna-Douath, Clark;
Nene, Konate, Gloukh
Prediction
Despite Salzburg’s recent win over Feyenoord, Leverkusen should have too much quality for the Austrian side, especially with their attacking options depleted by injuries.
Alonso’s men will be determined to bounce back from their heavy defeat against Liverpool, and they should have enough firepower to secure a comfortable victory at home.
- Score Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Red Bull Salzburg
Betting Tips:
– Leverkusen to win
– Over 2.5 goals
– Patrik Schick to score anytime
