Bayer vs Sevilla: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Sevilla have touched down in Germany fresh from a training camp in the Netherlands, ready to play their final pre-season friendly before the competitive campaign kicks off. Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, are wrapping up their domestic preparations before heading off on a tour of England. The question on everyone’s lips: which side is in better shape right now?

Tactical Analysis: Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer have once again put their faith in a Spanish coach. Xabi Alonso set the bar so high during his tenure that simply qualifying for the Europa League is no longer considered an achievement at the BayArena. His departure led to the appointment of Carles Martínez, and the club’s consistency is notable – they have again brought in a tactician who favours a three-centre-back system. All of their pre-season work has been done in Germany, and the “Pharmers” have been ruthless: they brushed aside three local lower-league sides with a combined score of 13–1, and also dismantled Gent (4–0), the fifth-best team in Belgium last season.

The summer saw Alejandro Grimaldo leave – a key player who functioned as a left wing-back, a playmaker, and the regular set-piece taker. His replacement, Miguel Gutiérrez, signed recently after a difficult spell at Napoli, and is likely to get some minutes in this match. Every player who featured at the World Cup is back in the squad and ready to play. Ibrahim Maza and Patrik Schick both found the net in the last friendly against Essen’s second team (3–0). However, new signing Kenneth Eikhorn, one of the most talented youngsters of his generation, will not feature due to a serious illness. Expect a strong, near-first-choice lineup.

Tactical Analysis: Sevilla

Sevilla are a shadow of their former selves. Last season was their worst in a quarter of a century – they finished 13th in La Liga, just one point above the relegation zone. Luis García, who was linked with a move to Spartak Moscow, took over in March and managed to avert disaster. Much like Bayer, Sevilla defeated three lower-division opponents (one on penalties), but with a far more modest aggregate score of 3–1. They also travelled to Poland and lost to Cracovia (0–1), before redeeming themselves in the Netherlands by beating Nijmegen (2–1) and Utrecht (1–0).

The club is in serious financial trouble, so they have focused on sales and cheap acquisitions. So far, only Akor Adams – last season’s top scorer with 10 goals – has been sold for a fee, but the departures of Djibril Sow and Juanlu Sánchez, two equally important players, are expected to be announced soon. Of the new arrivals, only Patrick Mercado might strengthen the team, but the midfielder has been injured since March and is still not match-fit. Rubén Vargas missed the entire pre-season due to the World Cup, but has recently started training. With no other opportunity to get minutes before La Liga begins, expect him to feature at least from the bench.

Predicted Lineups

Bayer Leverkusen (3-4-3): Flekken – Bade, Tapsoba, Belocian – Vázquez, Fernández, García, Poku – Tella, Kofane, Moreira

Out: Eikhorn, Ben-Seghir (both injured)

Head coach: Carles Martínez

Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos – Carmona, Sangante, Salas, Suazo – Gudiri, Agoume – Sierra, Peque, Castillo – Romero

Out: Marcão, Mercado (both injured); Pedrosa, Cardoso, Gattoni, Jordán, Ejuke (all not in squad)

Head coach: Luis García

Prediction and Bet

Main prediction: Bayer Leverkusen to win

The friendly status makes this match more unpredictable, but the Germans are objectively the stronger side right now. Yes, Sevilla came out of their break earlier and have played more friendlies, but they have been constantly on the road. This match is also being played away from home for them. Bayer, by contrast, will feel right at home – their training camp is just 100 km from Leverkusen. The visitors are in crisis, and their squad has only weakened over the summer. The hosts have lost Grimaldo, but their squad still looks more competitive. Our pick: Bayer Leverkusen to win.

Total goals prediction: Over 2.5

The “Pharmers” have been bright in attack throughout pre-season. Scoring a flurry of goals against lower-league sides is no surprise, but their second most productive game came against a strong Gent side (4–0). Sevilla have scored in four of their six friendlies, including against Nijmegen and Utrecht, and they are capable of troubling another goalkeeper. However, their defence will now face a far stiffer test than in previous matches. We expect the game to be quite eventful. Take over 2.5 goals.