West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions: New German champs a class above

Aaron Ashley

Spotlight

Xabi Alonso has won the German title with Leverkusen and is now after European glory

- Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in 43 matches this season
- Leverkusen have won their last eight games
- Recommended bet: Bayer Leverkusen to win

West Ham face a very difficult task in the home leg of their Europa League quarter-final following a late surge from Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena last Thursday.

Finely poised at 0-0 going into the final 10 minutes, Leverkusen finally found their breakthrough in the first leg with Jonas Hofmann getting them on their way before Victor Boniface sealed the deal in stoppage time.

Leverkusen have since claimed the Bundesliga title, putting an end to Bayern’s 11-year winning streak with Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Werder Bremen, so confidence should be flowing through their veins following their 43-game unbeaten run.

On the whole, it was a deserved first-leg success for Leverkusen, who dominated possession and won the shot count 33-1, which shows the size of the mountain that the Hammers have to climb as they attempt to try and overturn the deficit.

The latest West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

West Ham’s challenge has been made that bit harder with Lucas Paqueta and Emerson picking up yellow cards in the first leg which has ruled them out of the second.

Leading scorer Jarrod Bowen missed the trip to Germany and remains an injury doubt, while Alphonse Areola, Kalvin Phillips and George Earthy are sidelined.

David Moyes' Hammers face a tough task trying to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit

Things are looking much healthier for Leverkusen, who have Czech forward Adam Hlozek as their only confirmed absentee.

The stats

Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in 43 matches in all competitions this season, winning 38 times and drawing five.

Leverkusen have won 20 of their last 22 games, which includes eight wins on the spin.

Both teams have scored in five of Leverkusen’s last eight Europa League assignments.

West Ham have conceded the first goal in each of their last five games.

Both teams have scored in four of West Ham's last six home matches and five of Leverkusen's last seven games have generated at least three goals.

Prediction

Leverkusen’s two late goals in the opening leg suggests the Hammers were competitive but it was more to do with some slack finishing from the Germans and fine goalkeeping from Lukasz Fabianski.

The Bundesliga side dominated with 13 efforts on target last week, while they also racked up 10 corners and controlled possession with 78%.

West Ham are missing influential midfielder Pacqeuta through suspension and are also likely to be without their top-scorer Bowen, so it is hard to see that gulf in class being bridged at the London Stadium.

With the Bundesliga title now secured with five games to spare, Leverkusen will have their eyes on claiming the treble while boss Xabi Alonso will not want their 43-game unbeaten run to come to an end any time soon.

At some point, West Ham have to go for broke, but that will leave them even more vulnerable to Leverkusen’s pace and power on the counter-attack.

Therefore, Leverkusen are fancied to secure a ninth straight win and seal their semi-final spot in style.

Back Leverkusen to win at 17/20 with LiveScore Bet.