Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise

Bayer Leverkusen and Union Saint-Gilloise are set to trade tackles at the BayArena in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.

As Bayer Leverkusen charge ahead in pursuit of one of the Bundesliga’s five UEFA group stage spots, they are now keen to carry their winning momentum into Europe to reach the semi-finals of a UEFA tournament for the first time since 2001/02. Manager Xabi Alonso seems to bring success wherever he goes, as he’s led the team to a seven-game winning streak in all competitions. The team’s confidence is high following a brace of 2-0 victories over Ferencvaros in the Europa League last-16 that took their winning run in European football to three consecutive matches. But ‘Die Werkself’ can ill-afford to underestimate Union SG, having already gone winless in two encounters against another Belgian opposition, Club Brugge, in the Champions League group stages earlier this season (D1, L1).

On the other hand, after finishing top of Europa League Group D (W4, D1, L1) in their maiden season in the competition, Union SG stunned Bundesliga heavy hitters Union Berlin in the previous knockout round, running out 6-3 aggregate winners (3-3 A, 3-0 H). Those results form part of Union’s impressive run of seven unbeaten games in all competitions (W5, D2), bookended by a dramatic 1-1 draw at domestic rivals Gent last weekend. Karel Geraerts’ side climbed to the top of Group D after securing three victories in their three away matches during the group stage before that brace of three-goal hauls against Union Berlin in the round of 16. As a result, the Belgian team has bagged at least two goals in seven out of their ten UEFA matches this season.