Bayer Leverkusen vs SC Paderborn 07 Prediction (06.12.2023)

On Wednesday evening, Bayer Leverkusen host Paderborn at BayArena in the last 16 of the DFB Pokal.

Xabi Alonso’s team saw an eight-game winning run in all competitions end last time out with a 1-1 home draw against Dortmund. However, the result means Bayer are unbeaten in their 20 competitive games this season, having recorded 18 wins and two draws.

Die Werkself has scored at least two goals in 18 of their 20 games in all competitions this season.

Bayer has recorded back-to-back DFB Pokal wins over Teutonia Ottensen and Sandhausen, having scored 13 goals in the two games. However, they had suffered earlier exits from the competition in the previous two seasons.

Their recent games in the DFB Pokal have certainly not lacked goals, with over 2.5 goals scored in 11 of their previous 12 games in the competition.

Paderborn has endured an inconsistent campaign in the German second tier. The visitors had suffered back-to-back league defeats against Nurnberg and Elversberg before a 1-0 home win over Hannover last time out.

The Hannover game ended a run of high-scoring games for Paderborn, as their previous eight matches had all produced over 2.5 goals.

Like the home team, Paderborn has a decent recent record in the DFB Pokal, having recorded two straight wins over Energie Cottbus and Freiburg, having scored ten goals between the two games.

Paderborn have also lost just one of their last five games in the German Cup competition.

The visitors have been a dangerous away team of late in the DFB Pokal, winning their last three matches on their travels in the competition, with 13 goals scored in the three victories.

Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games of late, so the bet I am backing is over 2.5 goals scored.