Bayer Leverkusen vs Juventus 12/12/19

12 December 2019

Bayer Leverkusen face an uphill task of beating Juventus at the BayArena to improve their chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League (CL) knockout stage.

The hosts’ sudden rise has seen them go from three consecutive CL defeats to back-to-back victories, both of which have seen them score precisely two goals and shut out their opponents in the first half. Curiously, both of Bayer’s CL home games this season have finished with the identical 2-1 scoreline (W1, L1) and saw them find the net inside the first 45 minutes. Die Werkself need to defy an indifferent home record against the Italian visitors (W4, D2, L3) to win here and hope Lokomotiv Moscow will halt Atletico Madrid to help them finish second in Group D. However, the Bundesliga giants have been far from convincing in the CL at the BayArena recently, managing just two wins in their last eight such games (W2, D4, L2).

As for the visitors, they’ve already sealed a place in the knockout stage, picking up four straight group triumphs following a 2-2 away draw with Atletico in the opening game. Three of their last CL wins have all come via a single-goal margin. But, the reigning Serie A holders have not enjoyed traveling to Germany lately, securing just one victory in their previous seven trips to the country (W1, D2, L4). Also, Maurizio Sarri’s men have failed to clinch three points in two consecutive competitive games ahead of this trip (D1, L1), conceding at least two goals in both of those matches. Additionally, the Bianconeri have won only once in their last five CL away fixtures (W1, D2, L2).