Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tips (28 January)

By losing last week against Olympiakos 2-0, Bayer Leverkusen not only revived the competition in the race for the top 24, it also lost a third match in a row in all competitions after the two defeats in the league against Hoffenheim 1-0 and the reception of Stuttgart 1-4. Coming back to this Champions League, Bayer is 20th, and far from being assured of being in the 16th final. 1 point tonight would probably be enough depending on the results of the teams located in the retro, but victory would secure the spot. Before Christmas, the Germans were held to a draw by Newcastle 2-2. A defeat which put an end to a positive start to the series following 2 victories for the Etihad against Man City 0-2 and on the Benfica pitch 0-1. We will still remember that in its stadium, the team coached by K.Hjulmand was defeated by PSG 2-7 and held in check by PSV 1-1.

Last weekend, with the aim of relaunching in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen received Werder Bremen, result to come. End of course for Villarreal, who with their symbolic point will take the door at the end of this game. All the same very strange this European adventure of the Yellow Submarine which is literally a hit in La Liga by being 3rd and a shock on Saturday evening in the fight for the title with Real Madrid result to come but unable to win the slightest game in this C1. So yes, the draw was not kind to Marcelino's men who lost to Dortmund 4-0, Manchester City 0-2 and Tottenham 1-0 as well as a parity score at home to Juventus 2-2. But against Pafos 1-0 defeat, Copenhagen 2-3 defeat and last week against Ajax 1-2 defeat, there was still better to do. 

For this final Champions League match, elements like Flekken (starting goalkeeper) and winger Tella could be unavailable due to injury. Ditto for the Moroccan Ben Seghir, apparently returned injured from the CAN. Also present at the African Cup of Nations, Burkinabe central defender Tapsoba has still not returned to the field and could be unavailable. Let us add to this list the non-qualifications of the midfielder Palacios, the former Rennes player Martin Terrier, the important Hofmann and the young Argentinian Sarco. Used 5 times in the first 6 C1 matches, the disappointing winger Etcheverry left for Manchester City then loaned to Girona. Top scorer of this C1 campaign for Leverkusen, the attacking fullback Grimaldo (3 goals, 1 assist in C1) will be well operational like the Czech international P.Schick (6 goals, 2 assists in Bundesliga), author of 2 goals in the Champions League or even certain players who have played in La Liga: Lucas Vazquez (ex-Real Madrid) and Aleix Garcia (ex-Girona).

For Marcelino, the Right side Mourino will not replay this last European match of the season for Villarreal (suspended). He will take the place heated by the reigning African champion with Senegal, Pape Gueye (scorer in the CAN final) on the suspended bench. Injured for too many months, Logan Costa, Pau Cabanes and Kambwala will not play, nor will Argentinian rookie Thiago Fernandez (Velez Sarsfield), not qualified for the competition and injured. Ilias Akhomach (21) observed a period of rest last week in C1 following his participation in the CAN with Morocco and will probably be back on the scoresheet this evening. Offensively, Villarreal is well equipped with Nicolas Pépé, Georges Mikautadze, Gérard Moreno, Ayoze Perez without forgetting Buchanan and A.Moleiro, this team's top scorer in La Liga with a total of 8 goals and 3 assists.