One of the most entertaining opening matches in the playoff round in the Europa League took place in Germany last week. However, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco lock horns for the second time this coming week, with the Ligue 1 side looking to qualify following a 3-2 win last week.
Europa League Preview
AS Monaco will feel as though they have won foot in the next round of the Europa League coming into this second leg against Bayer Leverkusen. The French side were 3-2 winners in a dramatic affair between the sides last week, with the Ligue 1 team capturing victory in the 92nd minute following Axel Disasi’s winner. Leverkusen only had themselves to blame in the end, as they led 2-1 after an hour.
Moussa Diaby and Florian Wirtz both scored early in the second period to put the German side ahead after an early own goal put them 1-0 down. However, Krepin Diatta equalised for Monaco after 74 minutes, before the French side dramatically scored the winner in the closing stages.
The win away from home in the first league bodes very well for Monaco, as they have never previously been knocked out in a two-legged knockout tie after winning the opening leg away from home. Meanwhile, Leverkusen has suffered defeat in all previous eleven knockout ties when they have lost the opening leg.
Monaco’s excellent home record is also a fascinating betting angle this week, as they are unbeaten in their previous 13 home matches in the knockout stages of European competition. Their latest defeat at home at this stage or later was suffered against Borussia Monchengladbach in October 1996.
Monaco vs Bayer Leverkusen Head to Head
Monaco has an excellent recent record against Leverkusen, as they have lost just once in their seven previous meetings. Over that run, they have picked up four wins and two draws. The only defeat came in the 2016-17 Champions League campaign, as Leverkusen was the 3-0 winners at BayArena.
Monaco vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
Every trend certainly points to a home victory on Thursday evening. We struggle to bet against Monaco, as they protect an unbeaten home record in European competition that stretches back to 1996. We see Monaco completing the job on Thursday with a comfortable 3-1 win in front of their home fans.
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