On Thursday night, Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen travel to Sweden to take on Hacken in gameweek five in Group H of the Europa League.
Hacken form guideThe Swedish team has been the whipping boys of Group H, as they are bottom of the table, having lost all four of their previous group games.
Although it is still mathematically possible for Hacken to both qualify for the knockout stages and finish third place in the group, such is their poor goal difference of -11 compared to the teams above them that they look unlikely to finish anywhere but bottom of the group.
Hacken’s main issue of late in the Europa League has been conceding too many goals, as they have conceded at least two goals in five of their last six games.
Even home advantage has not helped Hacken pick up results in the Europa League, as they have won just one of their last nine home games in Europe’s secondary competition.
Their recent home games in the Europa League have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five matches.
Bayer Leverkusen form guideDie Werkself has been in excellent form, as Xabi Alonso’s team have recorded 13 straight victories in all competitions. The biggest reason for their recent outstanding attacking prowess is that they have scored at least two goals in 17 of their previous 18 outings.
The winning run includes the German team winning all their games in Group H, scoring 12 goals while only conceding two in all four matches.
Bayer Leverkusen have a good recent away record in the Europa League, winning five of their previous six games on their travels.
What am I backing?This game pits the strongest and weakest teams in the group against each other. The bet I am backing is over 2.5 goals scored.