Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle meet on the BayArena on Wednesday in a Champions League league-phase fixture that might show to be essential within the race for a top-eight place.
Leverkusen sit seventeenth with eight factors, two behind eighth-placed Sporting Lisbon, whereas Newcastle arrive in eleventh on 9 factors.
Leverkusen’s final Champions League win was a formidable 2-0 success over Manchester Metropolis on November 25, a match through which they scored with each of their efforts on the right track and relied on goalkeeper Mark Flekken to make 9 saves.
That victory shaped a part of a brief profitable run in Europe, although Kasper Hjulmand’s facet have since suffered two defeats of their final three Champions League outings, most lately shedding 2-0 to Augsburg.
That setback was the primary time in seven matches that Leverkusen had failed to attain. Throughout that interval, they recorded 4 clear sheets and netted 14 targets, exhibiting each defensive construction and attacking selection.
Domestically, Leverkusen are fourth within the Bundesliga with 23 factors from 13 matchweeks, scoring 28 targets and conceding 19.
Newcastle’s European marketing campaign stays totally unpredictable. They suffered a 2-1 defeat to Marseille on November 25 regardless of scoring inside the first six minutes, and their lack of artistic output past Harvey Barnes’s opener left Eddie Howe with few complaints.
Premier League struggles have continued alongside these European inconsistencies; Newcastle sit twelfth on 22 factors, solely marginally higher than on the identical stage final season.
Qualification stays doable. Eleven factors had been sufficient to achieve the spherical of 16 play-offs final time period, and a defeat on Wednesday would go away Newcastle needing two factors from their remaining two fixtures in opposition to PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain to achieve that mark.
There may be trigger for optimism: Newcastle arrive unbeaten in three matches, profitable two and drawing one, with eight targets scored in that run.
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Staff information for Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United
Leverkusen are anticipated to incorporate Jarell Quansah in a again three that includes Loic Bade and Jeanuel Belocian.
Exequiel Palacios is sidelined with a groin harm, opening a spot in midfield for Aleix Garcia or Ibrahim Maza. Patrik Schick is more likely to lead the road, supported by Christian Kofane and Malik Tillman.
For Newcastle, Aaron Ramsdale continues in purpose because of Nick Pope’s absence, with Fabian Schar and Malick Thiaw forward of him.
Bruno Guimaraes anchors the midfield and is ready to be joined by Sandro Tonali and Joelinton. Nick Woltemade ought to begin up entrance, with Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga offering width. Yoana Wissa stays an attacking choice from the bench.
Anticipated line-ups for Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United
Bayer Leverkusen: Flekken; Quansah, Bade, Belocian; Poku, Garcia, Maza, Grimaldo; Tillman, Kofane; Schick
Newcastle: Ramsdale; Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Corridor; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Stats for Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United
Leverkusen have failed to attain in solely considered one of their final seven matches
They’ve received three of their final 5 dwelling video games
Newcastle have received two of their final three matches in all competitions
Newcastle have taken only one win from their final eight away fixtures earlier than their victory at Everton
Newcastle received the earlier two conferences between the golf equipment, each by 3-1 scorelines
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen
2
–
1
Newcastle
Leverkusen’s stronger dwelling type and Newcastle’s persistent struggles away from St James’ Park counsel the German facet maintain a slight benefit. With the hosts discovering higher rhythm in Europe and Newcastle’s most up-to-date Champions League show missing fluency, a house victory seems the most certainly end result.
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