Bayer Leverkusen have dropped off somewhat in the Bundesliga this season, failing to match the heights they reached in winning the title last year. However, they are flying in the Champions League, which will surely be a huge consolation to them.
To avoid the dreaded playoff round and move through automatically to the last 16 by retaining or improving on their eighth-place spot going into gameweek 8, they will need to win at home against Sparta Prague, who have nothing to play for.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague Team News
Alonso will be without two defenders in Piero Hincapie, who is suspended after seeing red against Atletico Madrid last time out, and Jeanuel Belocian, who is ruled out for the long term through injury. Amine Adli and Martin Terrier are also unavailable up top.
Wing-backs Imanol Garcia de Albeniz and Angelo Preciado are both unavailable for the visitors.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague Possible Lineups
Tapsoba and Tah should make up the centre-back pairing for the hosts, helping to keep things tight at the back so the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Nathan Tella and especially Florian Wirtz can wreak havoc up the other end.
Bayer Leverkusen Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba, Grimaldo; Andrich, Xhaka; Frimpong, Wirtz, Tella; Schick.
Tomas Wiesner and Matej Rynes should start on the flanks on either side of a three-man defence of Vitik, Panak and Sorensen for the visitors.
Sparta Prague Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Vindahl-Jensen; Vitik, Panak, Sorensen; Wiesner, Sadilek, Kairinen, Laci, Rynes; Olatunji, Birmancevic.
Be sure to head back to Sporticos an hour before kick-off to get updated official lineups and other stats.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague Prediction
Xabi Alonso will surely be able to raise his team for a game they should be winning and need to win if they want the advantage of bypassing the playoff phase.
Spara have already been eliminated and will be playing for pride. That likely won't be enough to see them leave Germany with anything from this match.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 Sparta Prague
This game should give the Leverkusen stars like Wirtz and Frimpong the chance to show off what they can do against a team with very little to play for.
Fans in the UK can watch Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague on TV or via live streaming with TNT Sports.
