After a difficult spell of five games without a win across all competitions, Bayer Leverkusen have since claimed two victories and a draw from their next three matches, which has provided a much-needed boost for Gerardo Seoane’s men.
An impressive 4-0 win against Real Betis in their most recent Europa League game was followed by a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin and a narrow 1-0 victory at home against VfL Bochum last weekend.
The Eternal Bridesmaids currently sit fourth in the Bundesliga, and are also leading the way in Group G, sitting three points clear of Betis with two fixtures remaining.
Leverkusen have enjoyed their Europa League campaign so far, accumulating 10 points from a possible 12 available and scoring 11 goals in the process, which can only be bettered by Lyon in this year’s competition.
Four of those goals were scored at Parkhead in September, as Seoane’s side cruised to a 4-0 victory against Celtic in their first ever meeting against the Scottish giants.
Leverkusen head into Thursday’s game unbeaten in their last 14 Europa League group-stage matches at home, and a victory at the BayArena would see them qualify for the last 32 as Group G winners.
Celtic extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to nine matches when they beat St Johnstone 1-0 in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals last weekend.
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A 73rd-minute strike from James Forrest booked their place in the final for the sixth time in eight years, where they will face Hibernian at Hampden Park on December 19.
Ange Postecoglou’s men now turn their attention to Thursday’s crucial Europa League clash with Leverkusen, a match they cannot afford to lose if Real Betis beat Ferencvaros.
The Hoops, however, travel to the BayArena having lost six of their last seven UEFA Cup or Europa League away games in Germany – their most recent was a 2-0 loss to RB Leipzig in October 2018.
