Bayer Leverkusen vs Tottenham: Preview and Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen vs Tottenham Hotspur
UEFA Champions League – Group E
Date: Tuesday, 18th September, 2016,
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen.

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping for a repeat of the 1-0 win in 2006 against Bayer Leverkusen when the locks horns at the BayArena for the Champions League Group E fixture on Tuesday evening.

Leverkusen worked really hard to get away with a 1-1 draw in their matchday 2 fixture against group favourites AS Monaco. They squandered a 2 goal lead on the opening day against CSKA Moscow and are currently on a 7-match win-less run in Champions League. However, the last 4 are all draws and they have lost twice during the period. Their last three European fixtures at home are all draws which help them maintain a 6 match unbeaten run in front of their fans. But they must improve and get more than a draw from now on if they are to progress from an evenly poised group.

Tottenham were beaten by Monaco on the matchday 1, but did well to bounce back with a win against CSKA Moscow in the second fixture. The victory have come on a 1-0 margin and still it is a considerable achievement understanding how difficult the trips to Russia can be. The group standings is pretty wide open as 1 point separates the Spurs from Monaco on top and Leverkusen in third. The scenario puts this match as a crucial one for both teams involved and we can expect a quality tactical battle on Tuesday night.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Tottenham: Head-to-Head Stats

The only previous meeting between the two sides was during the group phase of UEFA Europa League at the BayArena on November 2006. Tottenham won the fixture by a 1-0 narrow margin, thanks to a first half-goal from none other than Dimitar Berbatov, who once embraced the Leverkusen colours.

Bayer Leverkusen have a poor record against Premier League clubs in UEFA Competitions. The lost 12 times from 19 meetings, getting away with 3 wins and 4 draws. Their 10 matches against English sides saw them winning 3 times, while they lost in 5 and held to drawn on 2 occasions.

Tottenham have a fairly even record against Bundesliga outfits. They won 9 and drawn 2 of the 18 fixtures, while losing in 7. They lost 6 times in 10 visits to Germany; managing 3 wins and a draw during the time.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Tottenham: Prediction

Leverkusen’s domestic performance this season clearly suggests that they do not have the consistency like in past seasons. They have dropped points against teams of lower stature and at times displayed some brilliant attacking football. In terms of productivity, they far behind and they are coming here on the back of 2 wins from their last 7 matches in all competitions.

And they are up against a Tottenham side whose only loss in 11 matches this season came against Monaco on the opening matchday of current Champions League season. The visiting Premier League outfit will miss the service of their start striker Harry Keane. But Pochettino have already shown that he has got this covered. And we can expect them to get the better of their Bundesliga rivals by a narrow margin.