Bayer Leverkusen will host PSG at BayArena on Tuesday, looking to pick up their first win of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

Bayer Leverkusen have drawn their first two matches in the UEFA Champions League this season, and they will look to get back to winning ways vs PSG on Tuesday. Die Werkself have a poor record against PSG, and they have lost the last two meetings against Les Parisiens. It will be interesting to see if they can turn things around and produce a strong performance here.

The Bundesliga giants have been unbeaten in the last six matches in all competitions, and they have picked up three wins from the last four outings. They will be reasonably confident heading into this game.

Meanwhile, the European champions have picked up two wins from two matches in the UEFA Champions League this season, and they will look to continue their fine run of form with a victory here. It will be interesting to see if they can come out on top. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.

Team News & Tactics

Bayer Leverkusen

The home team has a number of injury problems heading into this game. They will be without multiple key players, and that could be a devastating blow for them. Lucas Vazquez, Patrik Schick, Exequiel Palacios, Nathan Tella, Jarell Quansah, and Axel Tape are all ruled out.

Bayer Leverkusen will shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation vs PSG, with Mark Flekken in goal. In the back three, Robert Andrich will start alongside Loic Bade and Edmond Tapsoba. Arthur and Alejandro Grimaldo will start as the wing-backs. They will help out defensively and look to hit PSG on the break.

As for the midfield unit, Aleix Garcia and Equi Fernandez will start in the middle of the park. They will add control and composure to the side. Ernest Poku and Jonas Hofmann will start as the attacking midfielders.

They will look to create opportunities in the final third with flair, vision and technique. They could drift out as the wide players as well. Finally, Christian Kofane will lead the line for Bayer Leverkusen vs PSG on Tuesday.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Andrich, Bade, Tapsoba; Arthur, Garcia, Fernandez, Grimaldo; Poku, Hofmann; Kofane

PSG

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele is sidelined with a hamstring injury, with Marquinhos, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz also in the treatment room. PSG will shape up in a 4-3-3 formation vs Bayer Leverkusen, with Lucas Chevalier in goal.

Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will continue as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Illia Zabarnyi and Willian Pacho will form the central defensive partnership.

As for the midfield unit, Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha will add control and defensive cover to the centre of the pitch. Lee Kang-In will add creativity and ingenuity alongside the central midfield duo.

Meanwhile, Goncalo Ramos will lead the line for PSG vs Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, with Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on either side of him. They will add pace, flair and width to the side.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Pacho, Mendes; Lee, Zaire-Emery, Vitinha; Barcola, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia

Key Stats

• Bayer Leverkusen are undefeated in their last six matches in all competitions.
• PSG are undefeated in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
• PSG have won their last two matches against Bayer Leverkusen.
• Both teams have three wins from their last six matches in all competitions.
• Achraf Hakimi has assisted more goals from open play than any other player in the UEFA Champions League since the start of last season (7), including one for PSG’s winning goal against Barcelona in their previous match in the competition. Indeed, Hakimi also has the most chances created from open play (40) in this period.

Player to Watch

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

The Georgian attacker will be our key player to watch out for. PSG will depend on him to open up the home defence with his space, flair, and unpredictability. In the absence of Ousmane Dembele, Luis Enrique will need the former Napoli star to step up and produce a strong performance in the final third.

It will be interesting to see if Kvaratskhelia can create openings for his team in the final third and find the back of the net himself. The 24-year-old is in exceptional form this season, and he will look to continue at that level. The Georgian international was the best player on the pitch against Atalanta in the last Champions League game, and he will look to make his mark here as well.

Prediction

Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 PSG

Both teams have their fair share of injury problems, and they will be desperate to get the job done here. Neither side are defensive in their approach, and this could be an open contest with a fair few chances.

Both Bayer Leverkusen and PSG are likely to get on the score sheet, but the visitors have more quality and depth in the squad. They should be able to edge this one. A narrow victory for the UEFA Champions League holders is on the cards away from home. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Luis Enrique and his charges.