On Tuesday evening, Lokomotiv Moscow host Bayer Leverkusen in what could be a crucial clash in Group D of the Champions League, as the two teams compete for third spot in the group.
Both teams head into this game on three points each, so mathematically they could still qualify for the knockout stages of the competition. However, with Juventus and Atletico Madrid occupying the top two spots, making the last 16 looks unrealistic at this point of the competition. Finishing third in the group and dropping down into the Europa League is a more likely result.
The home side is above Bayer by virtue of winning the reverse fixture 2-1 at the BayArena. In truth, the victory on gameweek one was a rare victory in the Champions League for the home soil, as Lokomotiv have won just two of their last 12 matches in Europe’s elite competition. The Russian team has also lost nine of their last 11 matches in the Champions League.
Unsurprisingly considering their recent general form in the Champions League, Lokomotiv have lost five of their last six matches on home soil in the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen are experiencing an inconsistent campaign all round. They are mid-table in the Bundesliga.
The visitors had also lost their three previous matches in this competition until beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their last European outing.
The victory ended a five-game winless run in the competition for the German team, consisting of four defeats and one draw. Their recent games in this competition have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of their last seven matches.
Bayer have been travel-sick in the Champions League of late, winning just once in their last 12 away games. If they are to take control of their own destiny, then they will have to improve that poor away record.
🛫➡️🇷🇺 🔜 #LOKB04 pic.twitter.com/6X62T1FAiK— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 25, 2019
🛫➡️🇷🇺 🔜 #LOKB04 pic.twitter.com/6X62T1FAiK
Forebet are predicting that Bayer will improve that away record by recording a victory in a low-scoring encounter.