Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to make it back-to-back Champions League victories on Tuesday night, Bayer Leverkusen will welcome AC Milan to Germany.

Bayer Leverkusen

Starting with the hosts, only shattering a string of domestic records last season as they got their hands on a maiden Bundesliga crown, Bayer Leverkusen find themselves at the heart of a famous fairytale. While Xabi Alonso’s men might have entered September’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 loss at home against RB Leipzig, the German giants have come roaring back in some style. Getting their iconic Champions League return underway with a rampant performance on foreign soil as they stormed their way to a 4-0 victory against Feyenoord, the one-time Liverpool midfielder has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits from across the globe. Putting in another gritty display over the weekend as they snatched a 1-1 stalemate away at bitter domestic rivals Bayern Munich, Leverkusen could be smelling a potential opportunity on Tuesday night.

Team News

Heading into Tuesday’s showdown at the BayArena, Leverkusen have reported a clean bill of health and have not fresh injury concerns or suspensions to worry about. While former Southampton starlet Nathan Tella might have returned to Alonso’s squad over the weekend, the Nigeria international will settle for a spot on the bench here.

Already notching four goals from his first five Bundesliga appearances and opening his European account with a brace away at Feyenoord on September 19th, Florian Wirtz will play a leading role. Likewise, notching three goals since returning from September’s international break, Victor Boniface will spearhead Leverkusen’s charge.

AC Milan

As for the visitors, getting their respective Champions League adventure underway on September 17th with a collapse on home soil as they fell to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Liverpool, Paulo Fonseca has found some reported pressure on his shoulders. However, picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they stormed their way to a routine 3-0 victory against Lecce, AC Milan do appear to have turned a domestic corner since returning from September’s international break. Springing a famous upset on September 22nd as they secured a 2-1 win against arch-rivals Inter Milan, Fonseca’s men have won all of their previous three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 9-1. Although the Rossoneri might have found a recent clinical edge in the final third, they should face another stern Champions League examination on Tuesday night.

Team News

While Davide Bartesaghi might have been shown a second-half red card against Lecce over the weekend, the 18-year-old is free to be part of Fonseca’s squad here. However, undergoing surgery last month after sustaining a muscle injury, Algerian international Ismael Bennacer faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

Enjoying what has become a sensational flurry this season and now finding the net in each of his previous five consecutive appearances across all competitions, ex-Chelsea star Christian Pulisic will play a leading role in the final third. Arriving from Monaco over the summer, Youssouf Fofana will partner Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the middle of the park.

Key Factors to Consider

• Tuesday’s showdown at the BayArena will be the first competitive showdown between Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
• The reigning Bundesliga champions have recorded 13 goals since returning from September’s international break.
• AC Milan have won all of their previous three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 9-1.
• Bayer Leverkusen have seen six of their first eight appearances across all formats finish with both teams finding the net.
• Former Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has found the net in all of his previous five consecutive appearances.

Conclusion

While AC Milan might have opened their Champions League adventure with a 3-1 defeat at home against Liverpool a fortnight ago, the Italian giants do appear to have turned a recent domestic corner. Although Tuesday’s guests might be set for a real challenge at the BayArena in midweek, they will meet a Leverkusen squad that have certainly gained a reputation for their lively outcomes at both ends of the pitch. With Alonso’s men seeing six of their first eight appearances across all competitions finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet