Ferencvaros-Bayer Leverkusen is a Europa League round of 16 return match played on Thursday at 21:00: predictions.
Bayer Leverkusen continue to grow exponentially, in the space of just a few days having secured Europa League quarter-final qualification and in the league finishing just three points off the seventh place that could allow them to at least play in the Conference League next year.
Xabi Alonso has managed to put the pieces together and turn around a season that started off badly and in autumn saw the Aspirins floundering in the relegation zone. It is logical that, faced with a situation that appears almost compromised in the Bundesliga, the Rossoneri now tend to concentrate their efforts on the second continental competition, where they have the chance to make their way. Despite the absences of Palacios and Andrich, in the first leg they defeated the Hungarians of Ferencvaros 2-0 without major problems, having been hit at the start of the match by Demirbay and four minutes from the end by Tapsoba. A result that allows them to go through to the next round even in the event of a one-goal defeat: it was crucial to have kept their goal unbeaten.
Almost impossible task for the Hungarians
Bayer Leverkusen also emerged victorious from their league clash with Werder in Bremen, who were beaten 3-2 at home. It was the second win in a row for Werkself, who scored ten goals in three games, confirming their excellent momentum.
The defeat last Thursday at the BayArena evidently had psychological repercussions on the Ferencvaros players, who suffered their first slip-up since October: on Sunday, Stanislav Cherchesov’s green-and-whites surrendered 2-1 to Puskas Akademia, showing that they had taken the blow. They remain at the top of the Magyar league table, however, with 11 points over the second, but have won only one home match in five since the tournament resumed. Cherchesov must do without the injured Owuso and Besic, while on the other side Xabi Alonso will continue with the rotation. Wirtz returns in the three-quarter, some doubt instead on the presence of Schick, who is struggling with a groin problem. The attack will be led by Iranian Azmoun.
The Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen’s superiority appeared clear in the first leg and Alonso’s Rossoneri should be able to defend their first leg advantage. When the Germans take to the pitch in the Europa League the aggregate goal tally is often high: the game is likely to turn on for good in the second half.
Ferencvaros-Bayer Leverkusen likely line-up
- FERENCVAROS (4-2-3-1): Dibusz; Botka, Knoester, Abena, Civic; Esiti, Vecsei; Traoré, Zachariassen, Marquinhos; R. Mmaee.
- BAYER LEVERKUSEN (3-4-1-2): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié; Frimpong, Amiri, Demirbay, Bakker; Wirtz; Diaby, Azmoun.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
