Bayer Leverkusen takes on Rangers in the Round of 16 fixtures in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League.
Team preview
Rangers make the trip to Germany for a tight fixture against Leverkusen. Steven Garrad’s side comes under Group G and occupies the 2nd spot, having two wins and three draws out of six. They conceded 8 goals and netted only six. In the first leg game with Bayer Leverkusen, Rangers suffered a 3-1 defeat following the victory in the 2nd league by 1-0. To move forward in the league, they have to overturn the last setback against Leverkusen.
Bayer Leverkusen finished at the fifth spot in the league standings of Bundesliga, having won 19 matches out of 34. Having players likes Feyenoord, Porto, and Braga, Leverkusen are pretty optimistic in the home game after delivering a 3-1 setback to Thursday rivals in first-leg. Following this fixture, the German Club defeated FC Porto in the 2nd leg match with the same margin. The winner of this game will face either Inter Milan or Getafe later in the month.
Team News & Lineups
Bayer Leverkusen
Havertz is likely to start for Leverkusen at Bay Arena on Thursday, despite his transfer rumors. Kerem Demirbay will serve the one-match suspension today so he will be out of the selection.
Lineup: Hradecky; Bender, Tah, Tapsoba, Wendell; Aranguiz, Baumgartlinger; Diaby, Havertz, Bailey; Volland
Leverkusen Europa League form: W W W
Rangers
Leon Balogun recently moved to the club from Wigan Athletic but he will be ineligible for Thursday’s game. Rangers are without Jermain Defoe at Bay Arena due to the hamstring injury.
Lineup: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic; Kamara, Jack, Aribo; Hagi, Morelos, Kent
Rangers Europa League form: W D D W W L
Key Players
Bayer Leverkusen
Kai Havertz (midfield): 12 goals in Bundesliga
Lucas Alario (forward): 7 goals in Bundesliga
Rangers
Alfredo Morelos (midfield): 6 goals
Lanis Hagi (midfield): 2 goals
