With three points each after the reverse fixture in Portugal, Bayer Leverkusen, and Porto will meet again on Wednesday with a place in the Champions League’s last-16 still up for grabs with kickoff at 10 pm.
After eight losses in 12 games, Leverkusen parted ways with Gerardo Seoane. Failing to take even a point home from Oporto proved to be the final straw for the club’s board.
Eight losses in 12 games did not do pleasant reading and represented their worst start since promotion to the German top flight in 1979.
With the team also stuck inside the Bundesliga drop zone, a new leader was called upon to rejuvenate a talented squad.
Hotly-tipped as a managerial maestro of the future, Champions League-winner Xabi Alonso was swiftly appointed amid much fanfare in North Rhine-Westphalia; he has already made a significant impact on the team.
Following a four-game losing streak in the Champions League, Porto has a win to their name in Group B.
This puts them back in contention for European football after the World Cup. Nigerian full-back Zaidu Sanusi put the hosts ahead on home soil last week before Wenderson Galeno ensured the result with an 86th-minute strike. If they win their next match against Qarabag FK, they will secure their place as group winners.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. FC Porto Head to Head
Both sides have four games against each other, with the hosts taking two wins while the visitors with one win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Leverkusen 4-0 Schalke
- Porto 2-0 Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich 4-0 Leverkusen
- Leverkusen 1-1 Bremen
Away
- Portimonense 0-2 Porto
- Porto 2-0 Leverkusen
- Porto 4-1 Braga
- Estoril 1-1 Porto
Bayer Leverkusen Team News
One of Europe’s most frequent dribblers from the full-back position so far this term, Jeremie Frimpong, will be forced to miss Wednesday’s match after being dismissed in Portugal last week. Midfielder Robert Andrich also serves a suspension.
Porto Team News
Meanwhile, Porto captain Pepe has picked up a knee injury in training which not only rules him out of action this week but also potentially the World Cup. In his absence, David Carmo and Fabio Cardoso should start at the center of the visitors’ back four, while Mehdi Taremi and Evanilson are likely to be paired up front.
Prediction and Odds
A new era under highly-rated boss Xabi Alonso could spark a performance to lift the hosts above Porto in the standings.
- Home Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Over 2.5
