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The UEFA Champions League (UCL) enters the last-16 and sees Bayer Leverkusen host Arsenal.
The Gunners are the favourites to win this tie, finishing the league phase unbeaten, scoring the most goals and conceding the least. They are also into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, are top of the Premier League and have the final of the Carabao Cup coming up.
This all makes for ominous reading for a Leverkusen side who had to go through the play-off rounds of the UCL to get here, beating Olympiacos. Having won only once in their last five, form is not with the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions, but they have not lost in their last three UCL matches, so could sneak a result against an Arsenal side with their focus stretched.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal key information
• Date: Wednesday, March 11th
• Kick-off time: 17:45 GMT
• Venue: BayArena, Leverkusen
• Referee: Umut Meler
• VAR: Rob Dieperink
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: LEV (9/1) - Draw (16/5) - ARS (4/7)
Bayer Leverkusen team news
The treatment room is busy in Leverkusen. Arthur, Loic Bade, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Mark Flekken, Nathan Tella and Lucas Vazquez are all out, with Patrik Schick having a chance of returning for the game. Christian Kofane has been deputising in Schick’s absence and has two goals in his last two games, so he may retain his place in the side regardless.
Leverkusen have played twice against English opposition this UCL campaign, and Alejandero Grimaldo has netted on both occasions. He is a major part of his side and will need to be carefully watched by Arsenal if they want to keep a clean sheet.
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup v Arsenal, (3-4-2-1)
Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba; Poku, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo; Maza, Terrier; Kofane
Arsenal team news
Arsenal were 2-1 winners in the FA Cup on the weekend, beating League One side Mansfield. Many first-team players were absent, and in his post-match press conference, Mikel Arteta stated that Gabriel, Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi were all carrying knocks and were therefore rested.
Ben White, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard are all expected to remain out for the trip to Leverkusen, with Mikel Merino out for the rest of the season. Two players may also be missing on Wednesday, with Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori both being subbed against Mansfield because of niggles. It is expected that either Gabriel Martinelli will replace Trossard, and Piero Hincapie, playing against his parent team, will replace Calafiori.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen, (4-3-3)
Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
This UCL match between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK. To access TNT Sports, you need a subscription through discovery+, and then you can stream the match on the app, through your smart TV, on the website or through your TV provider.
Head-to-head record
Arsenal and Leverkusen have only met once previously in the second group stage in 2001/02, drawing 1-1 away before winning 4-1 at Highbury. Leverkusen have played other English sides in the competition, and have progressed from four of those five major European knockout ties, failing only against Liverpool in 2004/05 in the UCL. Recently, the two did meet in a friendly in August 2024, where Arsenal won 4-1.
Arsenal have won their last four games in a row in all competitions and are unbeaten since the end of January. Leverkusen, on the other hand, have only won once in their last five games, but only lost one of those as well (D3).
Odds for Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal
Arsenal are favourites to win at bet365, coming in at 4/7. A draw is at 16/5 with a Leverkusen win at 9/1.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.