Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal Predictions

• Bayer Leverkusen have won only one of their last five Champions League matches
• Villarreal are still searching for their first victory in the competition
• A point should be enough to see Leverkusen through to the knockouts

Leverkusen under pressure to perform

Bayer Leverkusen’s 2‑0 defeat to Olympiacos last week has left them vulnerable in the race for a top‑24 finish, and it marked their third straight loss in all competitions. Kasper Hjulmand’s side sit 20th in the Champions League standings and know that while a draw might be enough, a win guarantees their place in the next round.

Their European campaign has been wildly inconsistent with impressive away wins at Manchester City and Benfica contrasted by heavy home setbacks against PSG and PSV. A narrow 1‑0 victory over Werder Bremen at the weekend at least halted their domestic slide.

Leverkusen remain depleted, with Marc Flekken, Nathan Tella, Eliesse Ben Seghir and  EdmondTapsoba all sidelined, while key men Ezequiel Palacios and Jonas Hofmann are ineligible. Alex Grimaldo and Patrick Schick will shoulder much of the goalscoring responsibility.

Villarreal capable of spoiling the party

Villarreal are already eliminated, but Marcelino’s side — who have been excellent in La Liga —will want to avoid finishing winless in Europe. Despite strong domestic form, their Champions League run has been chaotic, with defeats to Pafos, Copenhagen and Ajax compounding a brutal draw.

The Yellow Submarine are missing defenders Santiago Mourino and Juan Foyth, but still boast firepower through Nicolas Pépe, Georges Mikautadze, Gerard Moreno and Alberto Moleiro.

With neither team convincing and motivation evenly matched, a draw looks a realistic outcome.