Qarabag FK vs Bayer Leverkusen: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Bradley Walker

Title-chasing Bayer Leverkusen make the long journey to Azerbaijan as they take on Qarabag in the first leg of their Round-of-16 Europa League tie on Thursday.

How to Watch Qarabag vs Leverkusen in the UK:

UK viewers can watch the match live on TNT Sports and the Discovery+ app. Kick-off is set for 5:45pm UK time.

Recent Form:

Qarabag are dominating the Azerbaijan Premier League having accumulated a 23 point lead after 25 matches. They have won their last three league games, scoring ten goals in the process whilst only conceding three.

A 6-5 aggregate victory over Portuguese side Braga setup another meeting with Leverkusen who Qarabag have already faced twice this season in Group H. Leverkusen won both games on the way to topping the group, while Qarabag finished second.

The Bundesliga leaders extended the gap between themselves and Bayern Munich with a 2-0 away win at Koln on Sunday. Xabi Alonso's side now sit ten points clear in Germany's top division and will also be eyeing a potential shot at European glory. Leverkusen are yet to lose a single game in all competitions this season, and have won their last six, scoring 14 goals in the process.

Unstoppable ⚫️🔴#UEL pic.twitter.com/chSDSMDF1p
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 4, 2024

Team News:

Qarabag will be without long-term absentee Kevin Medina (centre-back) who has been out of action since November.

Leverkusen defensive midfielder Noah Mbamba is ineligible and so won't feature. The German side will also be missing right-back Arthur and striker Victor Boniface, who is expected to return at the start of April.

Betting Odds:

The away side rightly enter as strong favourites, coming in at 4/11 with bet365 (carrying an implied probability of 73.33%). Qarabag are 8/1 with PaddyPower to score the upset, with an implied probability of just 11.11%.

William Hill are offering the draw at 9/2, with an impied probability of 18.18%.

Prediction:

OddsNow expect Leverkusen to run out comfortable winners in Azerbaijan to all but confirm their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.