Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side face Premier League club West Ham United with the aim of ending their European campaign in Leverkusen.
Head to Head
Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham have only played each other once in their respective clubs' histories. This match ended 4-0 for Bayer Leverkusen in the club friendly last summer.
The goalscorers on that day in August 2023 were Victor Boniface, Robert Andrich and Jonas Hofmann. West Ham's Thilo Kehrer also put the ball in his own net.
Form
Bayer Leverkusen's record in the Europa League stands at seven wins and one draw (and in doing so getting a 100% record during the group stages).
Bayer 04 have an impeccable record in the Bundesliga this season, having won twenty-four games and drawn only four. Adding to this, they are top of the Bundesliga by a margin of sixteen points.
In the Premier League, West Ham United have not been quite as good as Xabi Alonso's side have been in Germany as they are in seventh place with fourty-eight points.
Not only this, but they have also conceded fifty-six goals which is more than any other side in the top half.
West Ham have won six games in the Europa League this season and have lost two (including the first leg of the round of 16 tie with Freiburg).
Team News
Bayer 04
Adam Hložek has an ankle injury so will miss Thursday's game. Noah Mbamba will also be unavailable. Arthur is a doubt due to the thigh issue he has.
West Ham
Alphonse Areola has a groin injury so is unavaiable and Nayef Aguerd is a doubt due to match fitness.
Predicted Lineups
Bayer 04:
Kovář; Tapsoba, Tah (c), Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Adli, Wirtz; Schick
West Ham:
Fabiański; Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma (c), Emerson; Souček, Álvarez; Bowen, Paquetá, Kudus; Antonio