Bayer Leverkusen vs. Slavia Prague – Europa League, December 10, 2020

Bayern Leverkusen hosts Slavia Prague for a straight shootout on Thursday, December 10, to decide who finishes top in Group C.

Having both won four of their five Europa League matches this season, the two sides are currently locked on 12 points. Nice and Hapoel Beer-Sheva sit joint-bottom of the group with just three points each.

After taking a look at the bookies’ odds, I share my Bayer Leverkusen vs. Slavia Prague prediction and betting picks.

With home advantage on their side, Bayer Leverkusen (1.54) is favored by the top online betting sites to win on Thursday and snatch the top spot in Group C.

But given the way that Slavia Prague (5.25) has performed in the Europa League this season, I think you’d be foolish to disregard the away team in this matchup.

A 3-0 victory over Schalke on Sunday saw Bayer Leverkusen retain their status as one of only two unbeaten teams left in the Bundesliga this term. Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund have all lost in 2020/21, yet Die Werkself remains undefeated.

Six wins and four draws mean that Leverkusen is just one point behind Bayern Munich in the German top-flight. Better still, Peter Bosz’s men boast the joint-best defensive record in the division, having only conceded nine goals across the opening ten matches.

Strangely enough, Bayer has actually let in eight goals in five Europa League games this season. But a number of high-scoring wins over Nice (6-2 and 3-2) and Beer-Sheva (4-2 and 4-1) mean that Bosz’s men are the top scorers in the competition.

Leon Bailey has notched up three goals and two assists in the Europa League this term, while Moussa Diaby (two goals, two assists) and Florian Wirtz (two goals, one assist) have also shone on the European stage.

Bayer Leverkusen moved to within one point of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich after defeating Schalke 3-0 at Veltins-Arena.

WRAP ➡️ https://t.co/UMtPzzHb1R pic.twitter.com/WzJWmYKt0C

— Kick Off (@KickOffMagazine) December 6, 2020

I don’t think many people – including myself – were expecting Slavia Prague to make too much of an impact on the Europa League this season. Having been drawn in a tough group, it looked as though the Czech champions would struggle to reach the Round of 16.

However, the Red & Whites have proved their doubters wrong – in style!

Following a defeat to Beer-Sheva on Matchday 1, four straight victories have seen Jindrich Trpisovsky’s side cement top spot in Group C. Slavia did the double over Nice, as well as sealing a very impressive 1-0 victory over Leverkusen in October.

Meanwhile, the Red & Whites have also managed to remain unbeaten in the Czech First League. They have won eight and drawn two of their ten domestic games this season, with a 3-0 victory over cross-city rivals Sparta Prague coming on Sunday.

Can Slavia cap off a hugely successful few days by topping Group C?

I very nearly opted for the draw here. Slavia has continued to catch the eye throughout the 2020/21 campaign, but there is no denying that Leverkusen should win this one.

Odds of 4.30 for the draw are seriously tempting, but having taken everything into consideration, I still believe the price for the home win offers great value.