Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague preview: Team news and predicted lineups
| Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images |
Currently in eighth place in the Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping to seal a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the last 16 with a win over Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
After a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid a week ago, Die Werkself squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with RB Leipzig at the weekend.
With an eye on the midweek clash with Sparta Prague, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso rested some of his key players against RB Leipzig, naming Jeremie Frimpong, Alejandro Grimaldo and Exequiel Palacios on the bench.
They are all expected to be in Xabi Alonso's starting line-up on Wednesday, with Matej Kovar and Nathan Tella also in contention for the starting eleven.
Sparta, who lost 0-1 to Inter last week, are 29th in the standings with four points and have no chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Bayer Leverkusen will have to manage without Amine Adli (broken leg), Jeanuel Belocian (cruciate), Piero Hincapie (suspended), and Martin Terrier (achilles).
Victor Boniface missed Leverkusen's training session on Tuesday with Leverkusen in talks to sell him to Al Nassr, and he's therefore expected to miss the game as well.
Elias Cobbaut (unspecified), Angelo Preciado (knee) and Indrit Tuci (unspecified) are out for Sparta Prague.
Click here to see our predicted Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague lineups.
