Champions League
2026-01-28 - Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal
A Sports Betting Pick by Niko
Football; UEFA Champions League: 08th Round
Bay Arena – Leverkusen, Germany
Wednesday, 28th January 2026 - kickoff 21:00 CET
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen finally ended a three-game losing streak at the start of the year with a narrow 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga last weekend. It was not their best display of the year yet, but it was an important confidence boost.
Anyhow, that was their fourth win in the last six home games, which increases their confidence before this final Champions League group game, where they are under pressure to win and lock their place for the knockout phase.
Bayer Leverkusen complicated their situation with their shocking 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos last week. Now that some players are returning from injury, they should play better in their final group-stage game at home.
At home in Europe, Bayer Leverkusen have been pretty strong over the years, having lost just two of their last 17 UEFA competition fixtures (10 wins, five draws).
Despite that, their recent European home form is patchy, coming into this match without a win in four (two draws, two defeats).
Villarreal
Villarreal have endured a miserable Champions League campaign, with six defeats and one draw so far. Their five-game losing streak has effectively made this match a formality in terms of group-stage qualification.
Domestically, the Spanish side is performing well in La Liga, sitting fourth, but they have lost their last two matches without scoring, against Real Betis and Real Madrid.
Villarreal’s European away form is particularly poor, losing all three group games on the road without finding the net - against Tottenham, Pafos, and Borussia Dortmund.
The Betting Verdict
Bayer Leverkusen have historically fared well at home against Spanish teams, losing just one of their last eight UEFA matches against La Liga opponents (five wins, two draws).
Bayer Leverkusen have also won five and drawn one of their last six Champions League group-stage games against Spanish sides.
With Villarreal struggling and without any motives in Europe, and Bayer Leverkusen motivated to secure progression, the German side looks firmly in control. Expect a confident home performance, and goals are likely.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Villarreal
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Bayer Leverkusen to win at odds of 1.59 with Cloudbet
