On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Arsenal will welcome Bayer Leverkusen to Emirates Stadium for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie. The first meeting in Germany ended by a 1-1 margin after Kai Havertz converted a late penalty against his former club.
It left the tie delicately balanced ahead of the return leg in North London. Arsenal are coming into the match with strong domestic momentum and one of the best home records in European competition this season. Meanwhile, Leverkusen have become draw specialists recently but they still remain difficult to beat.
You can find more of our soccer predictions on our main picks hub. Here’s how we’re betting Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen tonight, including our Best Bet, a Same-Game Parlay, and key trends to know.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Match Details
Competition: Champions League
Date & kickoff: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 – 4:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM GT
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Expected XIs: Bayer Leverkusen 4-2-3-1 vs Arsenal 3-4-2-1
Best Bet for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
Our best bet for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen is Both Teams to Score: No at -165 (BetMGM) / -144 (FanDuel).
Across their last 10 matches in all competitions, Arsenal have conceded only seven goals. In that span, they’ve producing roughly 16.8 xG and allowed around 8.9 xGA. It’s evident that they have the ability to control games with high possession and suppress high-quality chances.
At the Emirates, Arsenal have been particularly resilient. Only one of their last 22 UEFA matches at home has ended in defeat. Many of those performances featured disciplined defensive spacing and compact midfield coverage. That has forced opponents into low-probability attempts in several games.
Leverkusen’s recent scoring record also supports this pick. Five of their last six matches in all competitions ended level. Many of them featured cautious attacking output as the German side prioritised defensive organisation. Given Arsenal’s defensive solidity, they could end the game with a clean sheet.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction
Our pick: Arsenal to Win at -325 (BetMGM) / -350 (FanDuel)
Arsenal are coming into this game unbeaten in their last six matches across competitions. This includes a 2-0 Premier League win against Everton where Viktor Gyokeres and rising talent Max Dowman both found the net. That result extended a run of dominant attacking displays.
The Gunners have consistently generated double-digit shot totals and controlled possession above 60 percent. Leverkusen, by contrast, have struggled to convert draws into wins recently. While they have lost only once in their last 14 matches, five of their last six fixtures ended level.
It’s evident that they’re struggling with finishing chances in tight games. Their away record has also been mixed. They’ve registered four wins from their last 10 away games across all competitions. Arsenal’s attacking structure featuring Bukayo Saka and other creative midfield support should stretch Leverkusen’s back line, helping them win.
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Same-Game Parlay (Bet Builder) for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
Bet $100 to Win $307.58 (FanDuel) Total Goals Over 2.5 (-144) + BTTS: No (-144) + Arsenal to Win (-350)
Arsenal frequently produce multi-goal performances at the Emirates due to their possession-heavy approach and high shot volume. Including Over 2.5 goals reflects their ability to dominate weaker defensive setups. Especially when attacking players such as Saka and Gyokeres stretch defensive lines with movement and pace.
Meanwhile, the BTTS: No component aligns with Arsenal’s defensive record at home in European competition. If Arsenal dictate tempo early and force Leverkusen into chasing the game, the hosts could score multiple goals while limiting the visitors’ attacking opportunities.
Arsenal’s home form and attacking depth make them the logical winner candidate. Their matches at the Emirates frequently feature high shot counts and sustained attacking pressure. It supports the Over 2.5 goals component.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen’s recent struggles converts possession into clear scoring chances. It suggest that they may find it difficult to break down Arsenal’s defensive block. The Gunners’ ability to control tempo and limit transitions strengthens the BTTS: No angle.
Over 2.5: -160 / Under 2.5: +115 Over 3.5: +155 / Under 3.5: -220
Over 2.5: -144 / Under 2.5: +118 Over 3.5: +176 / Under 3.5: -220
BTTS
Yes: +115 / No: -165
Yes: +114 / No: -144
Draw No Bet
Arsenal: -1200 Bayer Leverkusen: +625
Arsenal: -1200 Bayer Leverkusen: +830
Double Chance
Arsenal or Draw: -1600 Bayer Leverkusen or Draw: +250
Arsenal or Draw: -2000 Bayer Leverkusen or Draw: +260
Trends to Know for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
Home dominance: Arsenal have lost only one of their last 22 UEFA matches at the Emirates. It makes the stadium one of Europe’s most difficult venues for visiting sides.
First-leg context: The opening leg finished 1-1 after Havertz’s late penalty equaliser. It leaves Arsenal with a slight psychological advantage entering the return fixture.
Recent form: Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six matches across competitions with five wins. Hence, they are possessing strong momentum heading into this decisive European night.
Leverkusen draw trend: Five of Leverkusen’s last six matches have ended in draws. It shows their resilience but also their difficulty converting chances into wins.
Head-to-head edge: Leverkusen are winless in three competitive meetings with Arsenal, and their only visit to the Emirates in recent years ended in a 4-1 defeat during a pre-season clash in 2024.
Latest Injuries & Lineup News for Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen
In soccer, injuries and rotations can drastically alter how a match plays out, especially when it comes to BTTS, totals, and goalscorer markets. Navigating through a few key injuries in this clash, both coaches will look to lineup their strongest XI. Here are the players who are either doubtful or are set to miss out:
Team
Player
Status
Notes
Bayer Leverkusen
Mark Flekken
Out
Knee
Bayer Leverkusen
Loic Bade
Out
Hamstring
Bayer Leverkusen
Lucas Vazquez
Out
Calf
Arsenal
Martin Odegaard
Out
Knee
Arsenal
Ben White
Out
Knock
Arsenal
Mikel Merino
Out
Foot
Arsenal
Jurrien Timber
Out
Groin
Reminder: Always check confirmed lineups 60–75 minutes before kickoff, especially for goalscorer and BTTS markets.
How to watch – quick Q&A
What time is Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen?
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen kicks off at 4:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (8:00 PM local UK time).
Where is the match being played?
The match will be played at the Emirates Stadium in London, England.
How can I watch on TV / stream?
Broadcast rights vary by territory. In the US, the Champions League can be telecast on Paramount+. The match will be telecast on TNT Sports 1 in the UK. The match will also be available to stream on these broadcasters’ official websites.
Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.
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