Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Getting their Champions League adventure underway on Thursday night, Bayer Leverkusen will travel over to Holland when they meet Feyenoord.

Feyenoord

Starting with the hosts, although Feyenoord might have enjoyed a real domestic romp last season as they secured a silver medal finish among Holland’s elite, Brian Priske’s men have largely failed to find any real stability this time around. Marking their return from September’s international break with an infamous last-gasp collapse away at Groningen as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, the Dutch giants have now only collected a single point from three of their first four Eredivisie appearances. Getting proceedings underway on August 10th with a 1-1 draw at home against Willem II, the former Sparta Prague boss will also have a mounting headache over his side’s recent defensive issues. Signing off their pre-season preparations with a 3-1 loss at the hands of French outfit Monaco, Feyenoord have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their last seven matchups across all competitions.

Team News

While Algeria international Ramiz Zerrouki might have missed out away at Groningen last weekend, the former Twente midfielder is free to make a full return on Thursday night. However, dealing with a recent knee injury, Feyenoord look set to be without ex-Nice star Calvin Stengs here.

Eventually staying put in Rotterdam after serious Premier League interest, attacking talisman Santiago Gimenez will spearhead Priske’s charge at De Kuip. Notching a pair of Eredivisie strikes so far this season and making his senior Brazil debut last year, Igor Paixao will join Gimenez in the final third.

Bayer Leverkusen

As for the visitors, while Bayer Leverkusen might have suffered real Europa League heartbreak back on May 22nd as they suffered an infamous 3-0 drumming at the hands of Italian outfit Atalanta, Xabi Alonso’s side embarked on what was a stunning domestic romp. Claiming a maiden Bundesliga crown and underlining their status as Europe’s ultimate surprise package, the defending German champions have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent. Despite heading into September’s international break with a shock 3-2 loss at home against RB Leipzig, Leverkusen claimed an immediate response last weekend. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a routine 4-1 romp away at Hoffenheim, Alonso’s side should be smelling a potential opportunity on Thursday night.

Team News

Heading into their Champions League opener on Thursday night, Bayer Leverkusen have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Opening his Bundesliga account with a brace away at Hoffenheim last weekend, attacking talisman Victor Boniface will spearhead Alonso’s charge in the final third.

Eventually staying put at the BayArena following intensive interest over a move to domestic rivals Bayern Munich, Jonathan Tah will partner Piero Hincapie at the heart of Leverkusen’s defence. Already notching three Bundesliga strikes in as many appearances, Florian Wirtz will play a leading role in Holland.

Key Factors to Consider

• Bayer Leverkusen’s trip to Holland on Thursday night will be their first Champions League appearance since 2004.
• Feyenoord have secured just a single victory from any of their first four domestic appearances so far this season.
• Each of Bayer Leverkusen’s first three Bundesliga appearances this season have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Germany international Florian Wirtz has recorded three goals in as many Bundesliga appearances.
• Continuing on from their pre-season preparations, Feyenoord have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous seven matchups across all competitions.

Conclusion

Making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they marked their return from September’s international break with a 4-1 romp away at Hoffenheim, Bayer Leverkusen will be seeking a repeat performance here. Making a first Champions League appearance since way back in 2004, Alonso’s men should be smelling a golden opportunity on Thursday night. Looking to cash in on a Feyenoord squad that are drastically seeking some crucial stability, we are backing an away victory here.

Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet