FK Krasnodar vs Bayer Leverkusen predictions for Thursday’s match in the Europa League. Group J runners-up Krasnodar play host to Group A winners Beyer Leverkusen in the 1st leg of their Europa League tie. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Krasnodar’s first game back following the winter break is a tricky one at home in the 1st leg of their Europa League tie against Bayer Leverkusen of the Bundesliga. The Russian’s will be looking to prove that the break has done them good after losing their last competitive game 3-0 against Sevilla. Leverkusen have gradually been moving up the Bundesliga table in the new year and now sit in sixth place following an impressive 5-1 win away at Mainz.

Ben Yedder scored twice in the opening ten minutes against Krasnodar, and any hopes of a comeback from the visitors ended when just three minutes into the second half, Ramírez was sent-off for a second bookable offence and Banega made it 3-0 from the resulting penalty. Brandt scored twice as Leverkusen pulled apart a weak Mainz defence on Friday night, and the visitors will be hoping to carry on from where they left off in Thursday’s 1st leg against Krasnodar.

We’re expecting an open game of football, with both teams having chances to score as both of these clubs have tended to rely on their attacks rather than their defences in their last six competitive matches. Three of Krasnodar’s last six matches have seen both teams score and Thursday’s hosts have only failed to score in one of those six games. Four of Bayer Leverkusen’s last six matches have also seen both teams score, which includes each of their last three games against Mainz, Heidenheim, and Bayern Munich; and the visitors have only failed to score in one of their last six matches. Krasnodar only have two clean sheets in their last six attempts, while Leverkusen only have one during that same period, and that’s why goals are expected at both ends of the pitch on Thursday.

Ari is the only player to have scored more than once in the Europa League for Krasnodar this season, with the Russian international on two goals. Argentina’s Alario has netted four goals in Europe for Leverkusen so far, with Havertz close behind on three. We’re confident that both teams will score on Thursday and have backed the game to end in a 1-1 draw. Russia has proven a difficult place for many teams to visit, especially during this time of the year, but we’re expecting Leverkusen to hold out for a score draw that will make them firm favourites to qualify for the next round.

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