Bayer Leverkusen vs Paris Saint-Germain Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
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Bayer Leverkusen head into their third match day of the UEFA Champions League league phase with the visit of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Entertaining Leverkusen
It has been a tumultuous campaign for Bayer Leverkusen, with former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag having been sacked by the end of August due to an underwhelming start to the season. He has been replaced by former Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand, tasked with rebuilding a Leverkusen side that sold heavily over the summer.
At the weekend, Leverkusen pulled off a thrilling 4-3 win away at a strong Mainz side at the Mewa Arena after the October international break. That result means that they are now unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions since losing to Hoffenheim on the opening day of the Bundesliga season.
Paris Saint-Germain preview: Faltering PSG
Paris Saint-Germain were thrilling throughout the second-half of last season, under the management of former Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique. The Parisians were always expected to start slowly this season, though, after winning the treble, as a result of their participation at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup over the summer, shortening their pre-season.
The 2024/25 treble winners have begun their UEFA Champions League campaign with a hammering of Atalanta and then a defeat of Barcelona. Their 3-3 draw with Strasbourg the other day, though, means that they are now winless in their last three matches in Ligue 1, highlighting that expected slow-ish start to the campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Abundance of absentees
Bayer Leverkusen are dealing with plenty of absentees for this week as England international Jarell Quansah is sidelined alongside the likes of the experienced Lucas Vazquez and key striker Patrik Schick.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Bade, Andrich, Tapsoba; Arthur, Fernandez, Garcia, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Poku; Kofane
Unavailable: Quansah (Injured), Tape (Injured), Palacios (Injured), Sarco (Injured), Tella (Injured), Tillman (Injured), Vazquez (Injured), Schick (Injured)
Questionable:
Paris Saint-Germain team news: Key men unavailable
Paris Saint-Germain are dealing with a few key men being unavailable for this weekend. Marquinhos is sidelined alongside midfield duo Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz, as well as 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Hernandez; Mayulu, Vitinha, Doue; Barcola, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia
Unavailable: Marquinhos (Injured), Neves (Injured), Ruiz (Injured), Dembele (Injured)
Questionable:
Bayer Leverkusen vs Paris Saint-Germain prediction
Paris Saint-Germain head to the BayArena as the firm favourites, as they are for pretty much any game they play. Their injury issues and a loss of form, as well as Leverkusen's own improvement combined with home advantage, should make it a reasonably open and entertaining clash for the neutral. As a result, PSG eventually coming out on top but both teams scoring would appear a solid bet for this one.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Paris Saint-Germain Tip: Paris Saint-Germain to win & both teams to score
