Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
by Trystan Pugh ·
Updated
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Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal meet for the first time in over 20 years as the pair lock horns in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Paramount+
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Solid form
Bayer Leverkusen made it through to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League courtesy of a 2-0 aggregate victory over Olympiacos in the knockout phase play-offs, and they will now bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since they lost to Real Madrid in the 2001-02 final.
The German side have been solid in 2026 overall, and have lost just one of their last 12 games in all competitions.
Arsenal preview: Tournament favourites
Arsenal were supreme during the league phase, topping the table after winning all eight of their fixtures, and they head into the round of 16 as the favourites among many bookies to go all the way.
The Gunners are fighting on four different fronts for trophies this season, with the UEFA Champions League naturally among their highest priorities alongside the Premier League.
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Striker concerns
Forwards Patrik Schick and Christian Kofane are both carrying minor knocks and will be assessed, with the latter having picked up a foot complaint during training this week.
Former Premier League players Mark Flekken and Nathan Tella have resumed training after their respective injuries, but neither are included in Leverkusen's Champions League squad.
Predicted XI (4-2-2-2): Blaswich; Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba, Grimaldo; Palacios, Garcia; Culbreath, Maza; Terrier, Schick
Unavailable: Flekken (Injured / Not in squad), Arthur (Injured), Ben Seghir (Injured / Not in squad), Bade (Injured), Lucas Vazquez (Injured), Tella (Injured / Not in squad)
Questionable: Schick (Injured), Kofane (Injured)
Arsenal team news: Saliba fit
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba is available for selection, which could see the Frenchman partner Gabriel in central defence at the expense of Cristhian Mosquera.
Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard are close to being involved according to Arteta, but Martin Odegaard will not travel with the squad to Germany.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Unavailable: Merino (Injured), Odegaard (Injured), White (Injured)
Questionable: Calafiori (Injured), Trossard (Injured)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal prediction
Bayer Leverkusen have made themselves hard to beat in 2026 but head coach Kasper Hjulmand knows that his side face one of the toughest possible tests in the last 16, with Arsenal proving a formidable force across all competitions.
The German outfit have beaten English opposition once already this season though, recording a 0-2 win away at Man City in November, while they also drew 2-2 with Newcastle in the final set of league phase fixtures.
Arsenal, meanwhile are unbeaten in their last nine competitive games, and have been ruthlessly efficient in their European outings. Arteta's side boast the best defensive record in this season's Champions League campaign, and they look capable of recording a win and clean sheet in this first leg in Germany.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal Tip: Arsenal to win to nil
