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Match Preview & Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen is in real trouble on the domestic front in the 2022-23 Bundesliga season after Die Werkself has continued their horrendous start of the campaign with another defeat, this time a 4-0 loss against Bayern Munich at the weekend, in what has been their worst start to a campaign in over forty years.
But Leverkusen has been immeasurably improved on the continental front thus far in the Champions League despite a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Club Brugge when they dispatched Atlético Madrid 2-0 and placing themselves in the running to reach the knockout stages. As such, they will fancy their chances on the road against Portuguese giants FC Porto after the former Champions League winners have lost both their group stage fixtures and will have to go into their back-to-back clashes with Leverkusen viewing both as a must-win.
Porto has surrendered six goals thus far in an uncharacteristic continental campaign but a full-strength side is available to boss Sérgio Conceição who could pile on additional pressure on the shoulders of Gerardo Seoane on the back of Leverkusen’s incredible poor run back in Germany. With Seoane still without Florian Wirtz, Karim Bellarabi, Amine Adli, and additional questions around Exequiel Palacios, Porto may fancy their chances but Leverkusen has not lost against the Portuguese side in their previous three meetings (2-1-0). If Leverkusen can tap into their European form over their domestic struggles, there could be a share of the spoils here.
Prediction: FC Porto 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
