Union Saint-Gilloise vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Bookies have Leverkusen as the favourites to win here and have proceeded to price an away win at 2.11 with a home win as the second likely outcome at 3.7. The odds for a draw come at 3.74. According to the bookies, it seems unlikely this game will head to extra time, as USG are backed to progress through extra time at 17.00 and Leverkusen at 11.00 on Bet365.

Union Saint-Gilloise are this season’s surprise package in the competition. This season’s campaign has seen the Belgian side make it to the main draw proper of a European competition for the first time since the 1964/65 campaign of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. They are also the only team out of the eight remaining in the competition yet to have won a European trophy in their history. They have fought against all odds to be here and a team that has very little to lose like USG is a tricky one to play against as can be testified by the teams left in their wake. Karel Geraerts’ men come into this match unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions and responded to the first-leg draw by beating RFC Seraing 2-1 at home to remain just two points adrift of top spot in the Belgian Pro League which is where they’d want to be if they can’t be top when the Championship playoffs roll in. Key to USG’s form domestically and in Europe has been their home form where they have lost just three times all season and come to this match having won their last five at home. They have also won against German opposition this season, beating Union Berlin 3-0 in the return match of their last 16 tie to secure a 3-1 aggregate victory and will feel even more confident of a win here. Due to USG’s home ground, the Stade Joseph Marien not being up to UEFA standards, this match will be played at Anderlecht’s home venue.

Bayer Leverkusen have also been solid on their travels, especially in 2023 where they have suffered just one loss in nine matches played this year. They also arrive for this match with an unbeaten record of their own as they have not lost in 11 straight matches across all competitions with eight of those encounters ending in victory. USG halted their seven-match winning streak with the 1-1 draw last week and they have now gone two matches without a win as they drew 0-0 with Wolfsburg over the weekend. The draw saw Xabi Alonso’s men lose more ground in the race to qualify for the Champions League next season as they are now seven points outside of the top four. Die Werkself are seeking to qualify for the last four of a European competition for the first time since making the final of the Champions League during the 2001/02 season. Leverkusen have drawn their last two away matches to Belgian opposition with the most recent being a 1-1 draw with Racing Genk in the 2011/12 Champions League. They will however not lose any sleep over this as they have proven to be strong away from home in this tournament and have won their last two away matches in the knockout rounds.