Match Preview
Bayer Leverkusen will travel to face AS Monaco in the final match day of group stage of UEFA Champions League 2016/2017.
Both teams have already qualified for the round of 16, with Monaco topping the Group E. This match will be played for pride rather than competitiveness because the result of this game will not affect how Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen will participate in the pre-quarter final.
When Monaco hosted Bayer in September, they shared points as a Javier Hernandez goal was canceled out by a late Monaco equalizer. Kamil Jacek Glik scored in the 94th minute of the game to avoid a defeat Monaco on that night.
At the moment, Leverkusen and Monaco are having a quite different fortune. Monaco is well placed in Ligue 1 table as they are just three points behind the first placed team Nice. The Red and Whites are unbeaten in the last seven games, winning six and drawing one.
Leonardo Jardim’s team also prepared well for this tie by winning their last game 5-0 against Bastia this weekend. Radamel Falcao scored a brace for them as the Red and Whites recorded a resounding victory.
“We want to win at home!”
Full pre-match report for #B04ASM here: https://t.co/PAPiw7WQvv pic.twitter.com/9ipwhNrlNx
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 6, 2016
Team News: Bayer Leverkusen
Manager Roger Schmidt is without Karim Bellarabi and Lars Bender through their respective injuries. Stefan Kiesling, Joel Pohjanpalo, and Kevin Kampl will also miss the game as the trio are nursing their injuries.
With a place in the pre-quarterfinal of the Champions League already guaranteed, Leverkusen may make significant changes in this match.
Bayer Leverkusen: Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1) Leno – Jedvaj, Toprak, Tah, Wendell – Aranguiz, Baumgartlinger – Brandt, Calhanoglu, Volland – Hernandez
Team News: Monaco
AS Monaco has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to select from in the clash against Leverkusen.
The Red and Whites have already secured top spot. Hence, manager Jardim could rest some key players and play the likes of Almamy Toure, Nabil Dirar, Boschilla, and Guido Carillo.
Thomas Lemar has been involved in 7 goals in his last 8 @Ligue1_ENG games :
?3 goals ?4 assists pic.twitter.com/4Qvh9gLwkH
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) December 4, 2016
Monaco: Predicted Line-up (4-4-2)
Sanctis – Toure, Glik, Diallo, Mendy – Dirar, Moutinho, Fabinho, Boschilia – Carillo, Germain
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Monaco: Head-to-Head
Total games: three Bayer Leverkusen wins: nil Monaco wins: two Draws: one
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Monaco: TV Schedule and Channel
In the U.S., the match will be live on Fox Deportes, WatchESPN, Fox Sports GO, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, and ESPN3 USA. For other regions, the TV schedule can be found in the link here .
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Monaco: Prediction
. @CH14_ is all smiles ahead of tomorrow’s @ChampionsLeague match! #B04ASM pic.twitter.com/apAstWjnAA
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 6, 2016
Bayer will have the home advantage, while Monaco are playing significantly well at the moment. Given the relative insignificance of this match, both teams may ring changes. We predict an undecided result in this tie.
Final Predicted Score. Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Monaco
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Monaco: Betting Tips and Odds
- Bayer Leverkusen win: 17/20
- A draw: 13/5
- Monaco win: 10/3
- Under 2.5 goals: evens
- Over 2.5 goals: 8/11
- Both teams score: 4/6
- Both teams fail to score: 11/10
The odds were provided by Paddypower .
Key Stats to consider
- Leverkusen has drawn six of their last seven matches (Champions League).
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in six of Leverkusen’s last seven games (Champions League).
- Monaco is unbeaten in their last eight matches (Champions League).
- Leverkusen has seen under 2.5 goals in their last three matches against Monaco.
The Bayer Leverkusen vs. Monaco stats were provided by Whoscored .
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Monaco: Live Stream
The match can be streamed live online by clicking on this link . The link will be updated just before kick-off.
[Featured Image by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images]
