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West Ham United vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview
West Ham United and Bayer Leverkusen will meet in the second quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. The game will take place on Thursday, April 18 at the London Stadium.
In the first match, which took place a week ago in Germany, the hosts confidently won 2-0, and this score does not reflect Bayer's full advantage over West Ham in that meeting. Xabi Alonso's players completely dominated and could have scored more than two goals. Nevertheless, it is with such a handicap that they go to the capital of England, and of course, they will be the clear favourite of this confrontation.
Last weekend, Bayer became the champion of Germany for the first time in history, and the factor of a big celebration that happened immediately after the end of the game with Werder Bremen (5-0) could affect the mood of the team. But still, bookmakers believe in the success of the German club in London. Judging by West Ham United vs Bayer Leverkusen odds, their victory is estimated with odds between 1.95-2.05, while the success of the hosts is significantly higher – from 3.60 to 3.75. A draw corresponds to odds of 3.75-3.90.
Let's evaluate the current form and motivation of the teams before the second leg and choose the most reliable option for West Ham United vs Bayer Leverkusen tips.
West Ham United Preview
After the defeat at Leverkusen (0-2), the team returned to London and lost to Fulham in the Premier League with the same score. Overall, the Hammers are not experiencing the best moments of the season: the club has only one win in the last six games in all competitions (2 draws, 3 defeats) with a goal difference of 7-11. In addition, West Ham has only two home wins in 2024 – over Brentford (4-2) and Freiburg (5-0). This fact does not add optimism to the fans at all, because the team needs to beat the strong Bayer to get to the semifinals.
The Londoners also have serious problems with the squad: Calvin Philips, Alphonse Areola, George Earthy and Jarrod Bowen will miss the match due to various injuries. And Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri will not take the field on Thursday due to warnings received at Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen Preview
Coincidentally, the long-awaited championship and the celebrations that followed happened between two matches of the 1/4 finals of the UEFA Europa League. This factor could well have prevented Bayer from advancing to the next stage of the tournament, if not for a serious handicap after the first match, as well as not the most optimal condition of the opponent. Xabi Alonso's team is breaking all records this season and has already won 38 tournaments and ended five meetings in a draw.
The German club may well take a swing at the treble: Bayer will play one of the outsiders of the 2nd Bundesliga Kaiserslautern in the final of the DFB Pokal. Therefore, the remaining matches in Europa League will certainly be adjusted properly.
West Ham United vs Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips
Given the form that West Ham United is in, it is hard to believe that David Moyes' team, weakened by injuries and disqualifications, is able to stop the newly-crowned champions Germany. But at the same time, do not underestimate the emotional shamble that probably followed the Bayer players immediately after realising what they had already achieved.
It would be too risky to bet on the victory of the hosts, but we believe that the German club will not be able to show its usual football, as a result of which not so many goals will be scored in this match. As a West Ham United vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction, we will focus on the option with a total under. Our tip for this game is Under 3 goals at odds of 1.75.
