Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham predictions: Hosts can win with room to spare

- Bayer Leverkusen have won seven consecutive home games
- West Ham have four defeats in their last six away
- Recommended bet: Bayer Leverkusen -1 Spread (3 Way)

West Ham overcame German outfit Freiburg in the previous round of the Europa League, but have been handed a far sterner quarter-final assignment against Bundesliga champions-elect Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer come into the game seeking a seventh straight win in all competitions, while the Hammers have been in poor form generally on their travels with five defeats in their last eight away.

Team news

Leverkusen have a few injury issues as Adam Hlozek and Nathan Tella sustained injuries in the win over Union Berlin last time out.

Hlozek has since been ruled out for a few weeks at least and will miss both legs of this tie, while Tella is also likely to be absent on Thursday.

Patrik Schick should replace Hlozek as Victor Boniface is still lacking match fitness and Jeremie Frimpong is likely to come in for Tella.

Edson Alvarez is suspended for West Ham and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola remains sidelined.

Perhaps the biggest worry for visiting boss David Moyes is forward Jarrod Bowen, who was forced off with a back injury in the win over Wolves at the weekend and who looks set to sit this game out.

The stats

Bayer Leverkusen have won 12 of their last 13 home games, with eight of those wins coming by two or more goals.

West Ham have five defeats in their last eight away and failed to score in four of those losses.

The Hammers have lost two of their four Europa League trips, while Leverkusen have scored 17 goals across their four home games in this competition.

Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen rode their luck a little at the weekend as they edged out Union Berlin 1-0 in the German capital, but they will expect to put on a better showing in front of their own fans when West Ham visit in the Europa League on Thursday.

That result means Bayer have a 16-point lead over Bayern Munich and Stuttgart in the battle for the Bundesliga title with just 18 points left to play for, so manager Xabi Alonso can name his best XI here.

Europe is the priority for West Ham, but they arrive in poor form and they were also fortunate at the weekend in their 2-1 win at Wolves. That was just their second win in their last eight away from home and they have lost five of those trips, failing to score in four of those defeats.

Bayer are the clear favourites to win and they may be able to win with room to spare on Thursday. The Hammers lost 1-0 at German outfit Freiburg in the previous round, winning the second leg 5-0 and Bayer are clearly a level or two above their league rivals.

Leverkusen have scored an impressive 17 goals in just four home games in this competition and they look virtually invincible at home, where they are yet to be beaten this season.

Bayer have scored 11 goals and conceded just three across their last four at home and they should be able to beat a -1 handicap against poor travellers West Ham this.

Back Bayer Leverkusen -1 Spread (3 Way) at 21/20 with LiveScore Bet

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