Team news and predicted lineups

Here is our preview of Thursday’s Europa League group stage clash between Molde and Bayer Leverkusen, including predicted lineups.

Bundesliga leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen head into Thursday’s Europa League clash with Norwegian champions Molde full of confidence, having won eight and drawn one of their nine competitive games so far this season.

Molde suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Qarabag in their first Europa League group-stage match, but have bounced back well and are coming off a 4-0 win over Viking.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso spoke highly of the Norwegian champions at his pre-match press conference, saying:

“Molde are playing well and have a strong winning mentality, not just because they are current champions. We expect a difficult game.”

Having previously described the Bundesliga as his main priority, Xabi Alonso hinted at making changes for the game.

“All the players are ready. Making changes is an option,” Alonso said, without going into further detail.

Xabi Alonso is likely to revert to a 4-2-3-1 from his usual three-at-the-back system, as he did in Leverkusen’s 4-0 Europa League opening win over Häcken.

Matej Kovar could start in goal in place of Lukas Hradecky, with Josip Stanisic, Piero Hincapie, Robert Andrich, Nathan Tella and Amine Adli also likely to get starts.

Predicted Molde vs. Bayer Leverkusen lineups:

Molde: Karlström – Oyvann, Hagelskjær, Ellingsen – Lövik, Breivik, Haugen, Eriksen, Hestad – Eikrem, Berisha.

Bayer Leverkusen Kovar – Stanisic, Tah, Hincapie, Grimaldo – Xhaka, Andrich – Tella, Hofmann, Adli – Boniface.

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