Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Villarreal

Bayer Leverkusen [LWWDL] head into their final UCL league-phase fixture knowing the equation is simple: win, and a place in the knockout round play-offs is secured. After a difficult start to 2026 that brought three consecutive defeats across Europe and the Bundesliga [LLL], Die Werkself finally steadied themselves with a narrow 1-0 league victory over Werder Bremen at the weekend, a result that kept them firmly in the BL top-four race. That domestic lift followed a damaging 2-0 defeat away to Olympiacos on the penultimate European matchday, a setback that left Leverkusen 20th in the league-phase standings with nine points [2W, 3D, 2L]. With no possibility of finishing inside the automatic qualification places, only victory here guarantees progress without relying on results elsewhere. However, confidence at the BayArena has been fragile on the continental stage, as Die Werkself are winless in their last four European home matches [0W, 2D, 2L]. That said, history against Spanish opposition offers encouragement, with Leverkusen losing just one of their last eight European home encounters against La Liga sides [5W, 2D, 1L]. Nathan Tella and Eliesse Ben Seghir remain unavailable for the hosts. Patrik Schick is expected to start upfront in a 3—4—2—1 pattern for Kasper Hjulmand’s side.

Villarreal [LLLLL] arrive in Germany with little at stake in this competition beyond pride. The Yellow Submarines have endured a miserable UCL campaign, collecting just one point [0W, 1D, 6L] and sitting 35th in the standings after a 2-1 defeat to Ajax last time out. That return stands in stark contrast to their domestic form, where they remain entrenched in La Liga’s top four despite a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid at the weekend. Still, recent momentum is firmly against Marcelino’s side, who travel to Leverkusen on the back of three consecutive competitive defeats [LLL]. Their European struggles away from home are particularly stark, having lost all three league-phase away matches without scoring, contributing to a ten-game winless run in the UCL proper [0W, 2D, 8L]. Injuries further hamper Villarreal’s preparation, with Juan Foyth joining Logan Costa, Willy Kambwala and Pau Cabanes on the sidelines. The Yellow Submarine can draw inspiration from history, having never lost to the hosts in European competition [3W, 1D, 0L]. Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze are expected to start up front in a 4—4—2 formation.