Krasnodar vs Bayer Leverkusen 15/02/19

15 February 2019

Krasnodar and Bayer Leverkusen are set to face-off at the Krasnodar Stadium in the first leg of the Europa League last-32 clash.

Although they’ve won two of their last three friendlies in 2019 (W2, D1), this is still Krasnodar’s first competitive outing after the Christmas break. Finished as the runners-up in Group J, behind Sevilla, the Bulls have entered the knockout stage as one of seven teams that have pulled off all three wins at home during the group phase. All three of Krasnodar’s EL home games have ended with the identical 2-1 scoreline with Black-Greens coming from behind in each. Additionally, they are unbeaten in their previous eight home clashes (W5, D3), having kept a clean slate three times during the run. However, Murad Musayev’s men have failed to wrap up all three points in their last three games across all competitions (D2, L1), conceding over 1.5 goals per match twice in the process.

Meanwhile, the resurgent Bayer Leverkusen have secured three wins in their last four competitive meetings (W3, L1), scoring 3+ match goals in each victory. Moreover, the visitors go into this encounter off the back of an outstanding 5-1 road win over Mainz, which was, unfortunately for them, a third consecutive game in which they’ve struggled to keep a clean sheet. The Company XI’s defensive frailties have seen them concede eight of their last ten road fixtures across all competitions, allowing over 1.5 match goals four times in that period. However, Peter Bosz’s impressive attack has scored on seven successive road trips, bagging 2+ match goals four times during the run. What’s more, all seven of Leverkusen’s previous road triumphs have seen them score over 1.5 goals per game although they’ve managed just two clean slates during the run.