Champions League: The Door is Still Open for Bayer

Bayer Leverkusen vs Juventus

Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League campaign is hanging by a thread, but while they are still alive and kicking the Bundesliga side will keep fighting when Juventus are the visitors to the 30,000 capacity BayArena on Wednesday night.

This final Group D clash, Champions League: Bayer vs Juventus, has more resting on it than many of us expected after the German outfit lost their first three matches in the tournament. But back-to-back wins, and crucially one against second placed Atletico Madrid have keep Die Werkself’s hopes alive.

Peter Bosz’ Leverkusen must hope Atletico slip up at home to Locomotiv Moscow, and while that might be a slim chance, he knows if his team can better Los Rojiblancos they are through.

The Bayer vs Juventus betting odds, right here at SBOBET, give Die Werkeslf a decent chance of keeping their end of the bargain, but can the Russians do their bit?

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La Liga

Maurizio Sarri’s Juventus is home and hosed as winner of Group D, with four victories and a draw; but a first Serie A defeat for the Bianconeri boss, on Saturday, will have given his team a nasty jolt, and we could see a reaction.

Talking Points

Bayer on a late run

It would be something of an achievement for Bosz to guide his team to the Round of 16 when you consider Die Werkself picked up the first points of their campaign at the fourth attempt, with a 2-1 victory over Los Rojiblancos. But another win against Locomotiv Moscow has kept them in the hunt.

Bosz’s team is on a good run of form, in sixth place in the Bundesliga table, on the same points as fourth placed FC Schalke having beaten Die Knappen 2-1 at the weekend courtesy of two goals from Argentine striker Lucas Alario. Die Werkself has a strong attacking threat, lead by Kevin Volland and backed up by winger Leon Bailey, who scored twice as Bayer pulled off an impressive win away to Bayern Munich recently.

And with the experience of Lukas Hradecky in goal and skipper Lars Bender in midfield, this Leverkusen side thrives in pressure situations.

Job done for Juventus

Beating Atletco Madrid a couple of weeks ago confirmed Juventus’ domination of Group D… at the same time as leaving the door ajar for Die Werkself.

The Juventus squad is dripping with talent, but they have a battle on their hands to protect their Scudetto from the advances of Antonio Conte’s vastly improved Inter Milan. So Sarri may make changes for this game, though he will be determined to avoid back-to-back defeats, or even three games without a win.

Champions League: Juventus' Juan Cuadrado has been sent off during 69th minute of their match vs Lazio — Juan Cuadrado reacts after being sent off during Juventus’ match vs Lazio

Juventus lost a first game under the former Chelsea head coach at the weekend, going down to a 3-1 defeat away to Lazio after Juan Cuadrado had been controversially sent off. If Sarri does ring the changes, we could see Emre Can come in for Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield, as well as a start for Gonzalo Higuain, having emerged from the bench against Lazio. Paulo Dybala has three goals in the competition so far, and I would expect him to start again.

History

As five times runners up in the Bundesliga, the last time in 2011, Bayer Leverkusen have been the nearly men in domestic football in Germany, and they were also losing finalists in the 2002 Champions League, going down 2-1 to Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane scoring the winner for Los Blancos.

And if they fail to qualify for the Round of 16, Bosz’ side will be a decent bet to go deeper into the Europe League.

Juventus won the return fixture 3-0 in a convincing display, with goals from Higuain, Federico Bernardeschi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but they meet hosts in much better shape, unbeaten in six games, in all competitions, with five wins and a draw. Having said that, this isn’t a happy home for Die Werkself in Europe; they have won just two of their last eight Champions League games at the BayArena.

I Bianconeri have won their last four Champions League fixtures, but aren’t so good on their travels, winning just one in the last five.

Betting Tip

	Bayer Leverkusen vs Juventus	Juventus Last Goal @ 2.41
	December 12, 04:00 (GMT+8)

Bayer Leverkusen is favourite to win this game at 2.11, with Juventus at 3.20 and the draw at 3.55, and recent form is in the hosts’ favour; while Sarri will want a reaction from his players after defeat to Lazio.

The door is still open for Bayer Leverkusen, but I suspect the Old Lady of Italian football will slam it shut on Wednesday night. Keep it here for the Bayer vs Juventus updates on what is sure to be a tense and dramatic night.