Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Prediction, Odds, Lineups – Europa League Picks

• In-form German side hosts small but historic Belgian outfit at BayArena at 3: 00 pm ET on Thursday
• Bayer Leverkusen has won five straight in Bundesliga while Union Saint-Gillose is second in Belgium
• See our Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise prediction for the Europa League quarterfinals leg 1

Two competition outsiders for the Europa League title meet in Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday. German side Bayer Leverkusen has a European pedigree after being a Champions League finalist in 2022. It also won the UEFA Cup in 1988 and our the favorites in the Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise prediction.

However, Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise is a comparative minnow.

Significantly, it has not been beyond the last eight of a European competition since it met Birmingham City in the semifinal of the long-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1959-60.

Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, is in sixth place in the Bundesliga ahead of this last-eight first-leg tie.

Meanwhile, Union Saint-Gilloise is in second place in Belgium’s first division – two points behind leaders Genk.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Odds

At DraftKings, Bayer Leverkusen is a wide favorite for a home win at – 185. Moreover, Union Saint-Gilloise is a much-unfancied outsider at +500 – with the draw at +340.

The game kicks off at 3:00 pm ET.

Among the Europa League odds, Bayer Leverkusen is the fourth favorite at +800. 

Union Saint-Gilloise is the lowest-ranked side in eighth place at +2000.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise odds as of April 12 at DraftKings. Want a great soccer bonus for the Europa League?

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Over/Under & Spread

Under coach Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen has hit 18 goals in its last five Bundesliga matches.

It also scored nine times in its four Europa League matches so far – having entered after dropping out of the Champions League.

Therefore, the oddsmakers believe there will be plenty of goals – with even the prospect of three goals or more priced unattractively at -140 (Over 2.5).

The first value comes at four goals or more at +180 (Over 3.50.

The unlikely prospect of a goalless outcome is rated at +1200 (Under 0.5).

In the spread offers, Bayer Leverkusen is priced at +140 to win by two goals or more (Spread -1.5).

Meanwhile, Union Saint-Gilloise is offered at +425 to win by one goal (Spread -0.5).

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Preview

Bayer Leverkusen is enjoying a run of five straight wins in Germany’s Bundesliga. So it will present formidable opposition at home for the much-smaller Belgian outfit.

It defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 at home last weekend.

Moreover, It finished third in its Champions League group last Autumn. After dropping down to the Europa League, it overcame Monaco in the round of 32.

In the most recent last 16 round, it won 2-0 both home and away against Ferencvaros of Hungary.

🎙️ #Diaby: „At the beginning of the season it was complicated, we didn't perform well. Now we're better in it, we have a different mentality on the pitch. Right now we're showing the true face of #Bayer04.“

🔜 #B04USG | #UEL | #Werkself pic.twitter.com/5aOoPtkxWC

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 12, 2023

Union Saint-Gilloise is one of Belgium’s most historic clubs. But it was outside of the first division for 48 years until 2021.

It is currently enjoying a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions after a 1-1 draw away at Gent last weekend.

However, it faces much bigger and more well-established European opposition in Germany this week.

Even so, it won its Europa League group stage ahead of Union Berlin, Braga and Malmo – proving it can punch above its weight.

Furthermore, Union Saint-Gilloise won three times on the road in the group.

Advancing directly to the last 16, it again met Union Berlin – twice winning 3-0 at home and away.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Statistics

*Statistics from UEL 2022-23.

Moussa Diaby to Score Odds

French international Moussa Diaby of Bayer Leverkusen is the joint favorite to score in this encounter at -160 – or -450 to score first or last in the Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise odds. 

The 23-year-old has nine Bundesliga goals and four Europa League goals this season.  

The other favorite to get on the scoresheet is Bayer Leverkusen’s Iranian star Sardar Azmoun.

He has four Bundesliga goals but has not scored in Europe this season.

Union Saint-Gilloise’s forward Vicor Okoh Boniface is priced at +320 to score – or +900 to score first or last.

He has scored an impressive five times in the Europa League this season with seven goals in the Belgian League – and could be a good outside bet.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise History

These teams have never met in their European competition history. 

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Lineups & Injuries

Bayer Leverkusen projected line-up: Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Andrich, Palacios, Bakker; Wirtz; Azmoun, Diaby

Injuries: Dermibay, Lunev, Schick

Union Saint Gilloise projected line-up: Moris; Kandouss, Burgess, Van Der Heyden; Nieuwkoop, Amani, Lynen, Teuma, Lapoussin; Adingra, Boniface

 Injuries: Eckert

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Prediction

In a run of five straight impressive Bundesliga wins, Bayer Leverkusen returns to Europe in excellent form. It should be too strong for the smaller Belgian side – and could win by two goals.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Union Saint-Gilloise Picks: Bayer Leverkusen +140 (Spread -1.5).

See more of today’s Europa League picks here:

• Juventus vs Sporting Prediction
• Feyenoord vs Roma Prediction
• Manchester United vs Sevilla Prediction