Leverkusen vs West Ham betting tips, BuildABet, best bets and preview
Football betting tips: Europa League
2pts Mohammed Kudus 2+ shots at 13/10 (Betfair, Paddy Power)
Having lead Bayer Leverkusen to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga and a Europa League semi-final last season, Xabi Alonso is hoping to emulate that European feat this term - Die Werkself host West Ham on Thursday.
Unlike David Moyes though, Alonso doesn’t have to worry about domestic football as his side are on a title procession. Leverkusen are 16 points clear at the top with 21 points up for grabs.
In fact, after 41 games, Leverkusen are yet to lose so will still be harbouring hopes of a treble. The Hammers will be hoping to crush that.
But they head to Germany without three key players, so returning with a result looks a tall order for Moyes' men.
What are the best bets?
MOHAMMED KUDUS is one of the Hammers' sharpest shooters, averaging 2.5 shots per 90 this term.
This last time the attacking midfielder failed to have at least two shots in a game was against Bournemouth at the start of February. Since then, Kudus has had 39 shots in 12 appearances hitting as many as six in a game.
At 13/10, his price to have 2+ SHOTS is the play on Thursday.
BuildABet @ 50/1
- Mohammed Kudus 3+ shots
- Alejandro Grimaldo 2+ fouls
- Piero Hincapie to be shown a card
CLICK HERE to back with Sky Bet
Kudus shoots on sight but he also draws 2.4 fouls per game.
Piero Hincapie and Alejandro Grimaldo may have their work cut out trying to contain the mercurial winger on Thursday.
Team news
Leverkusen lost both Adam Hlozek and Nathan Tella in the win over Union Berlin at the weekend, both are doubts for Thursday with the former's issues expected to keep him out of both legs. Jeremie Frimpong should replace Tella at right wing-back.
Patrik Schick should spearhead the hosts attack with Amine Adli and Florian Wirtz operating in behind.
As for the visitors, David Moyes is set to be without Jarrod Bowen who was forced off in West Ham’s win over Wolves at the weekend with a back issue.
First choice keeper Alphonse Areola is sidelined and Edson Alvarez is suspended. This will see Lukasz Fabianski start in between the sticks and perhaps Kalvin Phillips in defensive midfield.
Predicted line-ups
Leverkusen XI: Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Schick.
West Ham XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Zouma, Mavropanos, Emerson; Phillips, Soucek; Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Antonio.
Odds correct at 1630 BST (10/04/24)
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