Bayer Leverkusen vs FK Krasnodar Predictions

Bayer Leverkusen might not have managed to score in Russia on Thursday, but it wasn’t through a lack of trying as they dominated the majority of the 1st leg against Krasnodar. The Bundesliga side remain the favourites to progress into the next round of the Europa League, but if Krasnodar score first in the 2nd leg, then the tie will shift heavily in their favour. Leverkusen picked up three more points in the Bundesliga on Sunday by beating Fortuna Dusseldorf, while the Russian Premier League is yet to restart following the winter break and that means Krasnodar have had the entire week to prepare for the 2nd leg.

Havertz and Bailey were on target as Bayer Leverkusen ran out 2-0 winners at home against Fortuna Dusseldorf on Sunday, which leaves them sitting fifth in the Bundesliga table. Krasnodar will be hoping that their extra few days rest, recuperation, and preparation will give them the edge in Germany on Thursday, but having only played one competitive match since mid December means they might also be a little ring rusty. Krasnodar had their chances against Leverkusen during the 1st leg, but with 65% of the overall possession, eight corners to their hosts one, and more shots during the ninety minutes it’s Bayer Leverkusen that will have been the more disappointed not to have scored.

This time around we’re expecting Leverkusen to make more of their possession and chances by winning the 2nd leg and keeping a clean sheet in the process. That should have been the case in the 1st leg after the Germans dominated the majority of the match, but Krasnodar escaped with a clean sheet. Bayer Leverkusen have won four of their last six matches and kept three clean sheets during that period. Krasnodar are now without a win in their last four competitive matches and lost their last away game 3-0 against Sevilla. The Russians have proven their defensive ability at home, but four of their last six away games have ended in defeat and the Russians have failed to score in their last two away games in the Europa League. All of the above points towards a home win and a clean sheet for Leverkusen on Thursday, and if they play anything like their best in the 2nd leg, then the result will surely follow.

Alario has scored four goals n Europe for Bayer Leverkusen this season, with Havertz not far behind on three, while Ari remains the only Krasnodar player to have scored more than once in the Europa League for the visitors and leads the way with a mere two goals, which highlights one of the Russian sides weak points this season. We’re confident that Bayer Leverkusen will win to nil in Thursday’s 2nd leg, and have backed a convincing final scoreline of 3-0. The hosts were unlucky not to score multiple times in Russia and appear to have the beating of Krasnodar, while the hosts have struggled to score goals in Europe, especially away from home and don’t have anything from the 1st leg to fall back on.