Union Saint-Gilloise vs Bayer Leverkusen

A place in the Europa League semi-finals is up for grabs as Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Bayer Leverkusen go head-to-head in the return leg of their evenly-poised quarter-final tie.

After dispatching Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin in the Europa League round of 16, Royale Union held Leverkusen to an enthralling 1-1 draw in Germany last week, which forms part of their eye-catching nine-match unbeaten streak in all competitions (W6, D3). Fresh from a 2-1 home league win over Jupiler Pro League minnows Seraing, the hosts are looking to defy an indifferent two-game home form against German visitors (W1, L1). Manager Karel Geraerts has every reason for optimism after his side won their last five home outings, four of which via an identical 2-1 scoreline. Moreover, the Belgians have emerged victorious every time they have played the second leg of a major European knockout tie at home (3/3).

On the other hand, Bayer Leverkusen’s best hope of securing top-tier European football for next season is to lift the Europa League trophy after a goalless draw at Wolfsburg last weekend left them seven points adrift of the Bundesliga top four. Worryingly, though, ‘Die Werkself’ have gone winless in three straight European visits to Belgium (D1, L2) since ousting Standard Liege in the 1997/98 Champions League campaign, including a 1-0 defeat at Club Brugge in this season’s Champions League group stages. On a more promising note, Xabi Alonso’s men are unbeaten in their last seven competitive away matches (W5, D2) since a 1-0 loss at Augsburg in February, netting 2+ goals on five occasions. They can draw further confidence from winning the second leg of their last three Europa League knockout ties when they’ve been away from home.