Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen will go head-to-head in the Champions League this week.
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Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen odds
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Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions
Bayern Munich and Liverpool fans may disagree, but it was pleasing to see Xabi Alonso commit his immediate future to Bayer Leverkusen earlier this year.
After leading Leverkusen to top spot in the Bundesliga, Alonso was linked with the likes of Bayern, Liverpool and Real Madrid. At one point the question seemed to be where he would end up, rather than whether or not he would depart the BayArena.
Instead, Alonso announced in March that he would not be seeking pastures new ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Leverkusen went on to win the Bundesliga title without losing any of their 34 games, a feat that had never been achieved before.
A large part of Alonso’s reason for staying put was the Champions League. Leverkusen finished as runners-up in the Europa League last term. Despite being one of the best teams in Europe, they were absent from the continent’s premier competition.
It will be intriguing to see how Leverkusen get on this time around. The bookies have them down as the 10th-favourites to lift the trophy, just below Atletico Madrid but ahead of Juventus and last season’s beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund.
The Champions League’s format has changed this season. Instead of the old group stage, the tournament now begins with a league phase.
All 36 teams are in the same group. Each side will play eight matches, four at home and four away. At the end of all that, those ranked first to eighth in the table advance directly to the round of 16, while those who finish between ninth and 24th go forward to the knockout stage play-offs.
Leverkusen will face AC Milan, Liverpool, Inter and Atletico Madrid between now and January, so they will not have everything their own way. Alonso will ensure his side do not underestimate the likes of Feyenoord either.
Leverkusen warmed up for this match by beating Hoffenheim 4-1. It was a welcome return to winning ways following a 3-2 defeat by RB Leipzig immediately prior to the international break.
Attention now turns to Europe as Alonso’s team look to make their mark on the biggest tournament of all.
Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen betting tips
Bayer Leverkusen are seeking a win on matchday one of the 2024/25 Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen to win – 3/4 (Copybet)
A second-place finish in the Eredivisie last term earned Feyenoord a place in the Champions League.
Arne Slot’s side only lost two games all season and finished on 84 points, only to be outdone by a rampant PSV team.
Now led by Brian Priske, they have had a frustrating start to the current campaign, drawing three and winning one of their first four games. That has allowed Peter Bosz’s exhilarating PSV side to set the pace once more.
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Feyenoord are not an easy team to beat, especially at their iconic De Kuip home, where only PSV and Atletico Madrid departed with victories last season.
But Bayer Leverkusen are an excellent team and we expect them to get off to a winning start on matchday one.
⚽ Choose Bayer Leverkusen to win at 3/4 with Copybet ⚽
Bayer Leverkusen to score over 1.5 goals – 8/13 (Copybet)
Had Alonso opted to jump ship at the end of last season, several of his players would almost certainly have followed him through the exit door.
As it was, Alonso’s decision to remain at the BayArena helped Bayer Leverkusen to keep their squad intact despite strong interest from various suitors elsewhere.
In fact, Leverkusen’s squad is stronger on paper now than it was last term. That does not mean they will win the Bundesliga title again, but the arrival of Martin Terrier has, for instance, added something different to the team’s attack.
Leverkusen have scored two or more goals in each of their three Bundesliga outings so far, while they also did so in the DFL-Supercup against Stuttgart.
With Terrier, Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface all set to feature on Thursday, the German champions can find the net at least twice.
⚽ Back Bayer Leverkusen to score over 1.5 goals at 8/13 with Copybet ⚽
Victor Boniface to score any time – 5/4 (Copybet)
Boniface notched a brace in the 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim last time out, but Alonso was not entirely satisfied with his performance.
“It’s always difficult for defenders to play against [him],” the manager said. “[But] he can and must do more. He knows it and the team needs it.”
Alonso was referring to Boniface’s work without the ball, which is definitely an area of his game that the Nigeria international can improve.
His finishing is pretty impressive, though, and Feyenoord will have to keep a close eye on him throughout Thursday’s game.
Even then, it might not be enough to prevent Boniface finding the back of the net in Rotterdam.
⚽ Tip Victor Boniface to score any time at 5/4 with Copybet ⚽
📺 How to watch Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Location: De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
- Date and time: Thursday 19th September, 5.45pm.
- How to watch: TNT Sports 2.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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