Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction - Champions League
The scene is set at the BayArena as the current Bundesliga champions gear up to host the Rossoneri in a mouth-watering UEFA Champions League contest, so here’s Daniele Fisichella’s Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview
This match pits two clubs with rich European pedigrees against each other, promising an electrifying encounter.
- Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Tip 1: Under 3 Goals Asian Line
- Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Tip 2: Victor Boniface Anytime Goalscorer
- Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Tip 3: Half Time: Draw
Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction 1: A big night for Xavi
Champions League, Tuesday, October 1st, 20:00 (UK)
Bayer Leverkusen, led by the former Bayern Munich and Liverpool standout Xabi Alonso, enters this match on the back of a resilient start to their domestic and European campaigns.
Leverkusen’s recent matches highlight their attacking prowess. After the international break in early September, they produced comprehensive wins, including a 4-1 demolition of Hoffenheim, a 4-0 Champions League rout of Feyenoord, and a thrilling 4-3 victory over Wolfsburg.
Even their 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich demonstrated their resilience and depth.
On the other hand, AC Milan, under the guidance of Paulo Fonseca, has been rebuilding their reputation meticulously. Despite a rocky start with a defeat to Liverpool in their opening Champions League group match, Milan has shown promising signs of resurgence in Serie A with consecutive victories over Venezia, Inter, and Lecce.
Fonseca, who last tasted Champions League victory in 2018 with Shakhtar Donetsk against Hoffenheim, seeks to break his European winless streak at the BayArena.
- Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction 1: Under 3 Goals Asian Line (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 2.03
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction 2: Will Fonseca stick or twist?
With a high-octane forward line led by the prodigious Florian Wirtz and an array of talented players like Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, and Amine Adli, Leverkusen poses a significant threat to any opponent.
21-year-old Florian Wirtz, who has been directly involved in 24 goals in his last 26 European starts.
His ability to create and convert chances makes him the heartbeat of Leverkusen’s attack. The team’s fluidity and high press are orchestrated to exploit any defensive lapses from their opponents.
Fonseca is likely to persist with an aggressive but cautiously balanced formation. His Milan side, known for its blistering counter-attacks and effective pressing, might look to exploit Leverkusen’s defensive vulnerabilities.
While the defensive line, marshalled by Fofana and the reliable Mike Maignan in goal, has shown signs of improvement recently, it’s the forward line that draws attention.
Tammy Abraham and Alvaro Morata spearhead the attack, with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic providing width and dynamism from the flanks.
This courageous approach paid dividends in Serie A, but the Champions League’s intense environment necessitates heightened prudence.
- Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction 2: Victor Boniface Anytime Goalscorer (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 2.20
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 5/10
Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction 3: An in-form duo
Despite Morata’s ongoing issues with a hip bursa, Fonseca is hopeful that the experienced striker will be fit to start, given his invaluable aerial ability and knack for being a game-changer.
In any case, Morata’s commitment to playing through pain demonstrates the kind of resilience and drive Fonseca has instilled in his squad.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, will not stray from their all-out attacking philosophy. Alonso’s men are expected to control possession, pushing their full-backs high and allowing Wirtz the freedom to orchestrate offensive plays.
In particular the duel between Leverkusen’s dynamic full-backs, Grimaldo and Frimpong, against Milan’s wide attackers, Leao and Pulisic, will be fascinating.
Both the Portuguese and the US international are the only two players to have contributed to at least 31 goals since last season in Serie A.
Therefore Leverkusen’s ability to mitigate Milan’s counter-attacking threats, especially from wide areas, will be pivotal.
Given both sides’ attacking tendencies and defensive vulnerabilities, betting on both teams to score seems a prudent choice.
Milan’s recent form and Leverkusen’s high-scoring games back this up.
- Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction 3: Half Time: Draw (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 2.50
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Prediction odds via bet365 as at 15:30, September 30th, 2024. Odds may now differ.
Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups: Morata is a doubt
Xabi Alonso is likely to field his strongest Bayer Leverkusen eleven.
Andrich is expected to start ahead of Palacios in midfield, while Patrik Schick will begin on the bench. Boniface will play as centre-forward, supported by Terrier and Wirtz. Frimpong and Grimaldo will operate on the flanks, with Tapsoba, Tah, and Hincapié forming the defensive trio.
For AC Milan, the main concern lies with Alvaro Morata’s fitness. Should he be sidelined, Loftus-Cheek may replace him to maintain their 4-2-4 or 4-4-2 setup. Gabbia is set to continue in defence, with Pavlovic potentially starting over Tomori.
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Terrier; Boniface.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Calabria, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez; Pulisic, Fofana, Reijnders, Rafael Leao; Loftus-Cheek, Abraham.
Match OPTA Stats: high-scoring games a clear pattern
- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, while AC Milan have secured victories in their last two outings.
- Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games. In 8 of Leverkusen’s last 10 fixtures, both teams found the net, a pattern also seen in 7 of Milan’s last 9 matches.
- AC Milan have scored the first goal in each of their last five matches.
- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last nine home games in major European competitions (W6 D3). However, they have never stretched this streak to ten games without a defeat.
- Milan have won only one of their first away games in their last seven UEFA Champions League campaigns (D5 L1)
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