Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Porto Preview 12/10/2022

Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Porto – 12/10/2022

Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

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Xabi Alonso will take charge of his second match as Bayer Leverkusen coach on Wednesday night against FC Porto. The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich midfielder joined Bayer Leverkusen last week after coach Gerardo Seoane was sacked.

Alonso’s first match in charge of Bayer was a win at the weekend against Bundesliga rival Schalke. Bayer Leverkusen won 4-0, and now they host FC Port in a crunch Champions League fixture.

FC Porto claimed a 2-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen a week ago on Champions League matchday No. 3.

The win was the final straw for Leverkusen as Seoane was sacked following the defeat. Seoane led Bayer to just two wins in 12 matches before being dismissed.

Bayer Leverkusen are third in Group B with three points from nine points available. FC Porto are also on three points, but they are second in the group thanks to a head-to-head win against Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid. Atletico are also on three points as all three teams chase Club Brugge.

FC Porto go into Wednesday’s away match on a four-match unbeaten streak. The Dragons followed up their win against Bayer Leverkusen a week ago with a 2-0 away win against Portimonense.

Sergio Conceicao’s team hasn’t played well on the road this season, posting a record of 3W-1D-2L in all competitions. They went to Atletico Madrid in the group stage and lost 2-1 in the Champions League. Porto also lost in the Primeira Liga to Rio Ave on the road.

Bayer Leverkusen have had one of their worst starts to a season in some time. They have a home record of 2W-1D-3L in all competitions. Saturday’s win against Schalke was their third win of the campaign and second at home this term.

Alonso could be without at least four players for the game. Forward Sardar Azmoun has a calf injury that should keep him out of action. Midfielder Exequiel Palacios has a hamstring problem that will likely keep him on the sidelines.

Midfielder Karim Bellarabi is out until November with a knee injury, while fellow midfielder Florian Wirtz is recovering from an ACL injury.

Conceicao has no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Leverkusen. He will hope Zaidu Sanusi and Wenderson Galeno can get goals once more. The FC Porto players scored in the final 21 minutes of the match to send the team to the win.

This time around should be different, however. Bayer have a new coach, and his opening match was impressive. Group B is close and it should see Bayer Leverkusen pick up a win at full-time. It should be another low-scoring game, with Bayer winning 1-0.