Bayer Leverkusen are one of just three teams to have drawn their opening two UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches, while PSG are in an elite group of six sides to have won both of theirs.
Match News and Current Form
Correcting their winless start to this UCL campaign will be a tough task for Leverkusen here, but having won their last two Bundesliga games hints that they’re starting to warm to the task under new boss Kasper Hjulmand. Those results continued their undefeated streak since Hjulmand took over as manager (W4, D3), and he’ll be keen on keeping another unbeaten streak alive, with Leverkusen unbeaten in their last nine home group/league phase games in European competition (W7, D2).
Contrary to their hosts, PSG have somewhat stalled after their impressive 2-1 win against Barcelona on matchday two, going on to draw both their Ligue 1 matches since. A return to winning ways certainly appears likely in the UCL, where the Parisians have won 12 of their last 14 matches (L2), including each of the last five, and extending that streak here would see them equal their longest winning run in their UCL/European Cup history. Few would bet against them doing so either, with PSG winning six of their last seven UCL away games, including notable wins at Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona.
Head-to-Head History
These two met in the 2013/14 UCL Round of 16, with PSG winning both ties. Leverkusen have lost just one of their last seven encounters with French opposition (W4, D2), while PSG have won just two of their last ten UCL away games against German sides (D2, L6).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Leverkusen have lost just two of their last 18 group stage/league phase matches in Europe (W11 D5).
Eight of Leverkusen’s last 12 home matches produced under 2.5 goals.
None of PSG’s last 101 UCL games ended goalless.
Five of PSG’s last seven away games saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Much responsibility could lie on the teenage shoulders of Leverkusen's Christian Kofane, who has scored five of his last seven goals at home. Any heroics of his could be cancelled out by PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos, who has scored four of his last five goals after the 85th minute, including one in each of their two UCL matches this season.
Leverkusen will likely be without Jarell Quansah and Axel Tape, who both didn’t feature at the weekend. PSG won’t be calling on Fabián Ruiz and João Neves for a while longer, but could see captain Marquinhos return.
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Betting Analysis
The hosts have been flying out of the blocks lately by opening the scoring in five successive matches, so backing Leverkusen to score first holds value.
Author: Peter Stavrinou