Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Paris Saint-Germain’s stunning start to the group stage has already cemented their place among the competition’s top eight. Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, sit well below that level — two draws from two matches — and the visit of the reigning champions offers little promise of points for the Germans on Tuesday night.
Bayer Leverkusen
Despite suffering only one defeat this season — a 1:2 loss to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga opener — Leverkusen have already made a change in the dugout. Kasper Hjulmand’s staff have steadied the club after Erik ten Hag’s departure, though a major upturn in results has yet to come. In the Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen should have taken more from their games against Copenhagen (2:2) and PSV Eindhoven (1:1), where they generated 2.95 xG combined. Following the October international break, Leverkusen produced a thrilling 4:3 away win over Mainz — creating 3.48 xG to their opponent’s 1.66.
Paris Saint-Germain
Even with two emphatic Champions League victories over Atalanta (4:0) and Barcelona (2:1), PSG’s domestic form has been patchy. Since 22 September, they have managed just one win in four Ligue 1 fixtures, most recently drawing 3:3 with Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes. The Parisians seem to be adjusting to life without Ousmane Dembélé — Désiré Doué is already back in the frame, while Ibrahim Mbaye, Gonçalo Ramush, and Senny Mayulu are grasping every opportunity in the starting line-up.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Paris Saint-Germain Prediction
Eleven years ago, Bayer Leverkusen offered little resistance to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League knockout rounds (0:4 and 1:2). This time, expect an open contest with attacking intent on both sides — defensive lapses should lead to goals.
