Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions: Gunners to wrap up tie at the Emirates
Ross Kilvington
Arsenal defeated Everton in the Premier League over the weekend
Bayer Leverkusen drew 1-1 with leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga
Recommended bet: Both teams to score
Arsenal sealed a late 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday evening, which combined with Manchester City dropping points, gives the club a nine-point advantage at the top of the table.
That result ensures the Gunners head into this second leg against Bayer Leverkusen aiming to make the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the ninth time since 2001.
The German side managed to take a point from Bayern in the Bundesliga over the weekend and that result leaves them sixth in the table.
They have made it to the quarter-finals on just two occasions (1997/98 and 2001/02) and will be hoping to reach that stage for the third time on Tuesday.
The latest Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Mikel Merino is a definite absentee for Mikel Arteta heading into this second leg.
Jurrien Timber suffered an injury during the first half of the clash against Everton at the weekend and it remains to be seen just how bad it could be.
Elsewhere, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard may have to undergo late fitness tests to see if the pair are ready for this game.
Aleix Garcia and Martin Terrier came off against Bayern. The former suffered a head knock which should rule him out of the Arsenal game due to concussion protocols, while the latter should be available.
Furthermore, Loic Bade, Lucas Vazquez, Arthur, Mark Flekken and Eliesse Ben Seghir will miss the game because of injury.
The stats
This will be just the fourth competitive match between the clubs on Tuesday evening. Arsenal won and drew against the German side during the 2001/02 Champions League campaign before a 1-1 draw was played out last week.
Leverkusen have drawn five of their last six matches in all competitions, winning the other match 1-0 against Hamburg.
Both teams have scored in four of those six matches. For Arsenal, both teams have found the back of the net in five of the last seven games.
All three of the previous games between the sides have seen both teams score, with a total of nine goals going in across those matches.
The latest Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Arsenal will be buoyed after extending their lead in the race for the Premier League title and Arteta will be determined to move into the next round of the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Leverkusen will certainly pose a few problems and we could see plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.
Expect both teams to score during the game, but with Arsenal snatching the victory they need to progress into the quarter-finals.
Back both teams to score at Evens with LiveScore Bet
The latest Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen odds are available on LiveScore Bet
