Bayer Leverkusen vs Hacken Tips & Preview - Comfortable home victory expected in Europa League

By Ryan Allan

19 Sep 2023

Ryan Allan 19 Sep 2023

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Bayer Leverkusen vs Hacken meet in the Europa League (17.45 BST on Thursday)
This match takes place at the BayArena
Comfortable home victory expected in Germany

Expired

Bayer Leverkusen should win comfortably (Getty Images)

Bayer Leverkusen vs Hacken Predictions

Given their superb start to the season, I´m banking on Bayer to cover a -2 handicap at the BayArena.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Hacken Predictions
Head to Head
Bayer Leverkusen Form
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
Hacken Form
Hacken Team News

A high-scorer seems likely, with both teams consistently seeing over 2.5 goals scored in games played this season.

Leverkusen have won 4 of their 5 matches played this season
Leverkusen scored a total of 21 goals in their last 5 games
Leverkusen have seen over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of their last 8 competitive matches
Hacken have lost 3 of their last 6 away matches
Hacken have seen over 3.5 goals scored in 6 of their last 7 games

Head to Head

Thursday´s first leg at the BayArena will be the first-ever match between Bayer Leverkusen and Hacken.

Bayer Leverkusen Form

Bayer have made a hugely impressive start to the new season, with 21 goals scored in five unbeaten matches.

On top of the Bundesliga four games into the season, Xabi Alonso´s men fought back twice to earn a potentially crucial 2-2 draw at champions Bayern last Friday.

Bayer Leverkusen Team News

Leverkusen will likely remain unchanged after a fine display on the road at Bayern last week.

Xabi Alonso has no new injury issues; however, Patrik Schick and Piero Hincapie remain absent.

Summer arrival Victor Bonifcace should continue to lead the Bayer attack. The Nigerian has bagged five goals in five appearances since his arrival from Belgians USG.

Hacken Form

Currently third in the Allsvenskan, the Swedish champions arrive in Germany already 23 games into their domestic campaign.

Hacken secured their place in the Europa League group phase with a 5-3 aggregate victory against Aberdeen.

Per Høgmo´s side have lost two of their last three on the road, including a 4-2 loss against IFK Gothenburg.

Hacken Team News

Head coach Høgmo will likely retain faith with the same XI that scored a morale-boosting 3-2 win against Halmstads last weekend.

The Swedes can no longer count on Europa League playoff hero Ibrahim Sadiq, who has joined Eredivisie outfit AZ.

Verdict

Bayer Leverkusen v BK Hacken

Goals can be relied upon in this fixture, and I fancy Bayer to win with over 2.5 match goals scored. On fire in recent matches, Bayer should prove capable of covering the -2 handicap selection.

Leverkusen & Over 2.5

Result & Total Goals

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Leverkusen -2

Handicap

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