Bayer Leverkusen host Olympique de Marseille on Thursday, 5 November, in the fourth round of the Europa League phase of the league. The German side are aiming to move into first place, while Marseille travel in search of their first points in the competition.
Both teams are expected to make changes because of unavailable players, with Leverkusen facing the longer list of absentees before the match.
Bayer Leverkusen
Nathan Tella and Moussa Diaby are among the players ruled out for the German club, reducing their attacking options for the European fixture. Bayer Leverkusen nevertheless have several alternatives available as they look to maintain their strong run in the competition.
Janis Blaswich is expected to start in goal, behind a defence of Lucas Vazquez, Edmond Tapsoba, Facundo Medina and Miguel Gutierrez.
Ezequiel Fernandez and Aleix Garcia are likely to form the defensive midfield pairing, with Jonas Hofmann, Ibrahim Maza and Afonso Moreira operating further forward. Patrik Schick is set to lead the attack.
Bayer Leverkusen probable XI: Janis Blaswich; Lucas Vazquez, Edmond Tapsoba, Facundo Medina, Miguel Gutierrez; Ezequiel Fernandez, Aleix Garcia; Jonas Hofmann, Ibrahim Maza, Afonso Moreira; Patrik Schick.
Olympique de Marseille
Marseille have fewer absences to manage. Derek Cornelius will miss the match, while Emerson Palmieri remains a major doubt because of a physical problem.
Keyliane Abdallah, who has already scored in this season’s Europa League, has also been left out of the squad for the trip after being omitted for technical reasons.
Jeffrey de Lange is expected to start in goal for the visitors. Kelyann Bezahaf, CJ Egan-Riley, Nayef Aguerd and Ulisses Garcia are in line to form the back four.
Nouhoum Kamissoko and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could play in the deeper midfield roles, with Amine Harit, Angel Gomes and Amine Gouiri supporting Neal Maupay in attack.
Olympique de Marseille probable XI: Jeffrey de Lange; Kelyann Bezahaf, CJ Egan-Riley, Nayef Aguerd, Ulisses Garcia; Nouhoum Kamissoko, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg; Amine Harit, Angel Gomes, Amine Gouiri; Neal Maupay.
The match will be Bayer Leverkusen’s fourth outing in the Europa League phase of the league, with the hosts heavily favoured by the listed odds. Bayer Leverkusen are priced at 1.38 to win, a draw is rated at 5.50, while an Olympique de Marseille victory is priced at 7.50.