Bayer Leverkusen v Porto Betting Tips [20 February 2020]

Bayer Leverkusen dropped out of the Champions League in the group stages and now they enter the Europa League at the Round of 32 stage in which they will face Group G winners Porto. The first leg will be held at the BayArena where Leverkusen have won three games in succession with victories over Dusseldorf, Stuggart and most impressively Borussia Dortmund. They did however, lose two of their three home Champions League group games to Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus but managed to beat Atletico Madrid at home. The home side come into this game in a good run of form in 2020 with five wins from their six games this year. The hosts have scored nine goals across their three home fixtures so far this year and put four past Dortmund in a thrilling 4-3 win during their last home game.  

As for the visitors they too are a side full of confidence coming into this match. Porto have emerged victorious in five of their last six games whilst drawing the other and they have won four straight league games to close the gap on Benfica to just one point at the top of the Primiera Liga in Portugal. Away from home they have lost just one of their 11 games in the league but they did lose two of their three away fixtures in the group stage of this competition so they haven’t exactly brought their terrific domestic record into Europe this season. Nonetheless a win away to Switzerland side Young Boys secured their status as group winners and they come into this match after three consecutive victories so should give Leverkusen a run for their money.  

This Europa League Round of 32 as drew up some cracking ties and this one is right up there. This meeting is between two clubs with real pedigree in Europe and both will fancy their chances at going a long way in this competition although they both struggle defensively so I’m going to tip both teams to score here.