Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Feyenoord face Bayer Leverkusen for the first time since 1987 on Matchday 1 of the all-new Champions League league phase.

These pair last faced off during Leverkusen's UEFA Cup success of 1987/88, with the Germans edging past their Dutch counterparts in the third round.

The Bundesliga outfit have returned to UEFA's premier club competition off the back of a historic 2023/24 campaign in which they were a game away from completing an unbeaten treble. They were slain by an Ademola Lookman-inspired Atalanta in the Europa League final, however.

The German champions saw their unbeaten domestic run come to an end before the September break, but they bounced back at the weekend by thumping Hoffenheim 4-1.

Feyenoord, meanwhile, are now led by former Sparta Prague boss Brian Priske following Arne Slot's departure to Liverpool. They finished second in the Eredivisie last season after winning the title in 2023. Priske's start to life in Rotterdam has been frustrating, with Feyenoord already nine points adrift of Eredivisie holders and current leaders PSV following a string of draws at the start of the new season.

Here's 90min's preview of Thursday's Champions League clash.

Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen H2H Record

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Feyenoord team news

Calvin Stengs misses out with a knee injury / Soccrates Images/GettyImages

Jordan Lotomba and Hwang In-beom are two summer arrivals that should start Thursday's clash in Rotterdam, with Feyenoord also retaining the services of leading marksman Santiago Gimenez up top.

They will be without chief creator Calvin Stengs due to a knee injury, though, with the former AZ star likely to be out of action until the October international break.

Hugo Bueno, on loan from Wolves, is a doubt with a muscle injury, while Quilindschy Hartman remains sidelined with a knee issue.

Feyenoord predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen

Feyenoord predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen (4-2-3-1): Wellenreuther; Lotomba, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Timber, Zechiel; Nieuwkoop, Nadje, Paixao; Gimenez

Bayer Leverkusen team news

Exequiel Palacios underwent meniscus surgery in August / Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/GettyImages

Unlike their hosts, Leverkusen have no injury concerns heading into their Champions League opener.

Exequiel Palacios missed the start of the new season after undergoing meniscus surgery at the start of August, but he could be back in action on Thursday. A start is unlikely if he passes a late fitness test, though.

Xabi Alonso will have to decide whether Boniface continues up top or whether Patrik Schick comes into the side, and who will partner Granit Xhaka in the middle of the park. Aleix Garcia and Robert Andrich are the leading contenders.

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Feyenoord (3-4-2-1): Kovar; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface.

Feyenoord vs Bayer Leverkusen score prediction

Feyenoord's recent malaise and frustration has arrived away from home. They're a different beast at De Kuip, and the historic amphitheatre will be a cacophony of noise on Thursday.

However, the Dutch outfit rarely face up against teams of Leverkusen's calibre, and their indifferent start to 2024/25 under new management suggests they'll find it hard to compete against such a coherent and tactically complete outfit.

Leverkusen have shipped too many goals for Alonso's liking this term, but Thursday's tricky encounter presents the German champions to lay down a marker on their Champions League return.