Bayer Leverkusen get their Europa League campaign underway on September 16 when they welcome NK Celje to BayArena.

Leverkusen Struggling for Momentum Under New Boss

Carles Martínez Novell has endured a frustrating start to life at BayArena with Bayer Leverkusen.

The German club have failed to win two of their previous three games. A defensive weakness has been apparent over that period, with five goals conceded. In fact, Leverkusen have conceded at least twice in three of their last six fixtures.

Patrik Schick has started the season in reliable form, registering five goal involvements in his last four appearances. Ibrahim Maza has racked up two assists in four.

Montrell Culbreath, Kennet Eichhorn, and Nathan Tella will all be unavailable due to respective injuries this week.

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs NK Celje (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Quansah, Tapsoba, Medina, Gutierrez; Garcia, Fernandez; Diaby, Maza, Moreira; Schick

Celje Struggling to Hit Heights of Last Season

Vítor Campelos had overseen a slow start to the season for the Slovenian champions, leading to his dismissal. Celje have suffered three defeats in their previous four fixtures, and they have scored just three times in their last three.

Defensively, they have been weak this campaign, allowing seven goals in four. Svit Sešlar has been a standout scorer this term, netting twice in his last four appearances.

Celje will be without a few key attacking players this week, including Lukas Ceh, Stian Dzumhur, and Dejan Suhovrsnik.

NK Celje predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1): Leban; Sirvys, Hrka, Tutyskinas, Avdyli; Daniel, Zabukovnik; Dukuly, Seslar, Kvesic; Verbic

Bayer Leverkusen vs NK Celje Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Bayer Leverkusen
  • Odds: 1.2 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: E2BYT
  • Correct score prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 NK Celje

Key stats:

  • Bayer Leverkusen avoided defeat in 14 of their previous 18 at BayArena.
  • Celje suffered defeats in three of their previous four fixtures.
  • Leverkusen have a proven attacking output, scoring nine goals in their last three games.

This is a bit of a mismatch at BayArena, ensuring that Bayer Leverkusen are the standout pick to claim maximum points. Leverkusen are typically dominant in front of their own fans, having avoided defeat in 14 of their last 18.

They have also recorded a 4-0 win in their only home fixture this season. Leverkusen’s proven attacking output is also notable, as they have scored nine in their last three. In contrast, Celje have lost four of their previous five, and they have only scored once in their last two.

Bayer Leverkusen vs NK Celje Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Both Teams to Score - No
  • Odds: 1.973 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: YCZYT

A win to nil for Leverkusen looks likely this week. Celje have struggled offensively this season, unable to score in back-to-back encounters. The visitors have failed to find the net more than once in five of their previous six.

Leverkusen have kept clean sheets in two of their previous four in Germany, while they traditionally dominate defensively at BayArena, having kept clean sheets in 38% of their clashes with home field advantage.

Verdict: Bayer Leverkusen (1.2) — Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 NK Celje