Zurich – Bayer Leverkusen SOCCER PICKS
Zürich and Bayer Leverkusen meet at Stadion Letzigrund, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (Group Stage). There is no record of direct confrontations between these two teams in the last 3 years. The last match was played on 19-12-2007 and ended with the score: Zürich (0-5) Bayer Leverkusen. In this match, the home advantage may be decisive, since Bayer Leverkusen presents considerable differences in their results at home and as visitors.
Zürich:
The home team comes to this 3rd round of Group A in the 2nd position, with 6 points won, after 2 wins. In their first match in this group stage they won out against AEK Larnaca, by (0-1). On matchday two, they won at home against Ludogorets by (1-0). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 7 wins, 6 draws and 2 losses at their stadium. The team comes to this match after a draw at home with Young Boys by (3-3). In the last 10 home matches Zürich has won 4, tied 5 and lost 1. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches.
The Zürich team has been making an excellent campaign in the competition and is not only in the leadership of their group table by the tiebreaker criteria, so in this round it will be essential to add the three points, as it will have a direct confrontation with The leader of the group. Playing inside the house it will be necessary to present good football and try to create good scoring opportunities to decide the game in their favor. In the last round the team from Zürich got a good home win against Ludogorets, by the score of 1×0. The local coach should go with maximum strength for this match, because he will need to add the three points to try to reach the top of the leaderboard.
Bayer Leverkusen:
The away team comes to this 3 rd round of Group A in the 1st position, with 6 points won, after 2 wins. In their first match in this group stage they won the away match against Ludogorets by (2-3). In the 2nd round, they won at home against AEK Larnaca by (4-2). This is a team that, oddly enough, was better outside than at home, as in the last 30 matches they register 7 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses in away matches; against 7 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses at their stadium. The team comes to this match after a home tie with Hannover 96 by (2-2). In the last 10 away matches Bayer Leverkusen has won 5, tied 2 and lost 3. Defensive consistency has not been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored regularly, since he scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In 11 games, he suffered the first goal 4 times, but got the comeback in 2.
The team of Bayer Leverkusen is running over their opponents in the competition and is currently at the top of the leaderboard, with the desire to stay where it is, therefore, will have to play good football within the four lines and try not to make mistakes within the field. By playing away from home difficulties should appear, but visitors have quality to spare to achieve the desired result. In the last round, Bayer Leverkusen defeated AEK against their fans for the 4×2 score. The visiting coach must not have significant absences for this duel.
