West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen preview: Best free betting tips, odds and predictions

WEST HAM clash with Xabi Alonso’s newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen for a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest, and carefully selected our best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses for the crunch second-leg encounter.

Best free bets for West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen

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West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen preview

West Ham must do something that nobody has managed for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign to qualify for the semi-finals of the Europa League.

And that is to beat Bayer Leverkusen.

The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions clinched the title with a 5-0 demolition of Werder Bremen on Sunday, and extended their unbeaten run to 43 games in the league and European competition.

It could be argued that Xabi Alonso’s side may be suffering after their celebrations, but that’s unlikely given they have a great chance at landing an historic treble.

They also boast a healthy two-goal advantage heading to the London Stadium having won the first leg 2-0 courtesy of goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface.

That first leg was an extremely one-sided affair with Leverkusen seeing over 73% possession and having 33 attempts at goal to West Ham’s 1.

The Hammers themselves arrive after successive defeats to Leverkusen and Fulham, both matches in which they failed to score.

West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen odds

• West Ham 5/2 with Ladbrokes –

• Draw 5/2 with Ladbrokes –

• Bayer Leverkusen 17/20 with Ladbrokes –

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

West Ham vs Bayer Leverkusen betting tips

Away win

Perhaps I’m being swept up by Bayer Leverkusen’s unbelievable achievement of wrestling the Bundesliga title away from Bayern Munich, but Xabi Alonso’s side really are formidable.

As mentioned, Leverkusen are now unbeaten in 43 matches in all competitions and were absolutely dominant in the opening fixture back at the BayArena. They’ve progressed from all 13 previous occasions they have won the first leg of a two-legged European knockout tie by 2+ goals.

David Moyes will have to ask his side to be less pragmatic in this contest, and that could see spaces open up for the likes of Florian Wirtz to do damage. Not to mention the likes of Emerson, Lucas Paqueta and top-scorer Jarrod Bowen are set to miss the contest through suspension and injury.

• Bayer Leverkusen win at 19/20 with William Hill –

The Wirtz stuff

Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz could make his presence felt at the London Stadium on Thursday.

The 20-year-old talent has bagged 17 goals and provided 18 assists in 41 appearances this season, making him one of the hottest young prospects in world football.

He’s also managed seven goal contributions in this season’s Europa League, scoring three times and generating four assists. He had two shots and one on target in the first leg, and will also be high on confidence having bagged a hat-trick over the weekend.

• Florian Wirtz first goalscorer at 7/1 with William Hill –

Yellow card

Defensive midfielder Robert Andrich is available at 17/10 to be booked, and that’s not a bad price considering Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to protect their two-goal advantage.

The German, 29, has committed 14 fouls in the Europa League this season – which is more than any of his colleagues. He’s picked up five cautions this year, with three of those arriving away from home.

• Robert Andrich to be booked at 17/10 with William Hill –

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