Qarabag vs Leverkusen Odds, Preview
Top Two Teams in Group H Face Off
Bayer Leverkusen Remain Unbeaten
Bayer Leverkusen have been one of the best teams in Europe this season. They’re on top of the Bundesliga through 10 matches and are a perfect 3-0 in the Europa League. On Thursday, Azerbaijani club Qarabag will try to end Leverkusen’s unbeaten start to the season when they meet in the Europa League. Qarabag are 2-1 in their first three UEL games but lost the reverse fixture in Germany. Ahead of one of the UEL matches of the week, let’s check out the Qarabag vs Leverkusen odds.
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen
Day/Time:
Location: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan
Head-to-Head
The first opportunity to bet on the Qarabag vs Leverkusen odds was two weeks ago. Leverkusen were -425 favorites and came away with a dominant 5-1 win to take control of Europa League Group H. Alex Grimaldo got on the scoresheet twice for Leverkusen in the match. All-time, Qarabag are 0-1-6 vs German opposition in UEFA competitions.
Qarabag Back on Track
Qarabag led 5-1 at halftime of Saturday’s Azerbaijan Premier League match vs Kapaz. Yassine Benzia scored a first-half hat trick, and the defending champions cruised to a 7-1 victory. The victory broke a three-game winless streak for the Baku-based club in all competitions. Qarabag lost just two times in the Azerbaijan Premier League last season but have already lost three times 12 games into the 2023-24 season.
They’re currently in second place in their domestic league and have pulled off some surprises on their Europa League schedule. In six previous tries, Qarabag have never advanced out of the Europa League group stage. In 2023-24, they won their first two Europa League games for the first time in history. Leandro Andrade scored the game’s only goal as Qarabag defeated Molde 1-0 on Matchday 1.
Then, Juninho scored a 70th-minute winner at BK Hacken to give Qarabag six points out of a possible six. Even though they lost 5-1 to Bayer Leverkusen in the reverse fixture, Qarabag are in second place in Group H. They’ve never before won three matches in a Europa League group stage but could change that come Thursday.
Leverkusen on 15-Game Unbeaten Run
Bayer Leverkusen have scored at least twice in every match they’ve played this season. Last Saturday, Leverkusen led 2-0 at Hoffenheim at halftime of their Bundesliga match. Victor Boniface set up Florian Wirtz for the opening goal, and Alex Grimaldo doubled the visitors’ lead on a well-worked corner routine. Two mistakes from Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky handed Hoffenheim two goals in quick succession.
Boniface fed Grimaldo for Leverkusen’s third goal, which also ended up being the winner. At 9-1-0, Leverkusen are on top of the Bundesliga table and have averaged three goals per game. In the Europa League, they’re a perfect 3-0 and have already scored 11 goals. The soccer odds/predictions give Leverkusen a decent shot of winning the Europa League. At +1000, they show the second-shortest odds to win the competition. The joint top scorers of the Europa League campaign for Leverkusen are Grimaldo, Wirtz and Boniface, with two apiece.
Bayer Leverkusen are one of just two unbeaten teams in Europe’s top five leagues, along with France’s OGC Nice. Leverkusen has played 15 games in 2023-24 in all competitions, with a highly impressive 14-1-0 record. Xabi Alonso has transformed Leverkusen into a contender on all fronts. Currently, Wirtz leads the Europa League with four assists and has been a standout performer this season.
Match Analysis & Odds
Qarabag are still winless vs German opposition in UEFA competitions. They’re 0-1-6 and have scored just four goals and conceded 17. When Qarabag host Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday, the home side are +500 underdogs. Bettors can also take Qarabag +1, +1.5 at -115 odds. Leverkusen, who are on a ten-game winning streak, are -225 favorites and certainly have the better UEL team on paper.
Leverkusen’s starting XI has been excellent this season, and their new signings have seamlessly integrated into the team. Wirtz has been one of the best players in Europe this season, while Victor Boniface has been stellar in his first season in German football. Wirtz was involved in Leverkusen’s first four goals vs Qarabag last time out, as he scored and provided three assists.
With how well they’ve played recently, Leverkusen -1, -1.5 at -115 odds certainly isn’t a terrible pick. The Qarabag vs Leverkusen odds price a draw at +400, and Qarabag undoubtedly would be happy with a point. Both over and under 3, 3.5 goals are priced at -115 for this one.
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