Real Betis vs. Bayer Leverkusen Matchday 3 Picks: Can Both Teams Keep Banging in Goals?

Real Betis vs. Bayer Leverkusen should be an open and entertaining spectacle in Spain on Thursday night. Both teams have been on fire in front of the goal, but which club will prevail in this eagerly anticipated clash?

Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen are level on six points apiece atop their Europa League group. Betis earned a thrilling 4-3 victory over Celtic before beating Hungarian champion Ferencváros 3-1 last time out. Leverkusen beat Ferencváros 2-1 and then thumped Celtic 4-0, so it will be fascinating to see these teams battle for Group G supremacy.

Here are my picks and predictions for Thursday’s Europa League game between Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen (odds via Unibet).

Real Betis vs. Bayer Leverkusen Game Info

Date/Time: Thursday, October 21 at 12:45pm ETTV: TUDNLocation: Benito Villamarín

Real Betis vs. Bayer Leverkusen Odds Analysis

Real Betis is the narrow +150 favorite for this game, while Bayer Leverkusen is priced at +155, and the draw is available at +260.

That highlights just how evenly matched these teams appear. Betis is eighth in La Liga, but the club is just five points behind league leader Real Sociedad after a reasonably strong start to the season.

Bayer Leverkusen is third in the Bundesliga table and has been superb in the Europa League. But as the away team, they've been installed as the slight underdog.

Real Betis vs. Bayer Leverkusen Picks

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals -118Real Betis to score in the first half -118Patrik Schick to score +200

Real Betis vs. Bayer Leverkusen Predictions

Draw +260

It's difficult to favor either team. Bayer Leverkusen has started stronger this season, but they suffered a bruising 5-1 defeat to title rival Bayern Munich on Sunday. That result could dent Leverkusen’s confidence as they prepare to head to Seville for this Europa League clash.

Betis may not be quite as fresh as Leverkusen after visiting Alavés on Monday night. However, the players didn't exert themselves too much in a 1-0 win over a team languishing in the relegation zone. Betis also holds home-field advantage for this game.

Leverkusen arguably boasts a slightly stronger squad, but Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini is very experienced, and a trick or two should be up his sleeve for this game.

Both teams look dangerous in attack and sloppy defensively, so they could cancel each other out at Benito Villamarín.

Over 2.5 Goals -154

Over 2.5 goals has paid off during both of Betis’ Europa League clashes this season, and both of Bayer Leverkusen’s games in this competition.

Leverkusen’s Bundesliga contests have also featured an average of 4.13 goals thus far, while Betis' games finish with an average of 2.33 goals in La Liga. But the latter squad has been playing with style in the Europa League.

Talented attackers lead both teams, with Borja Iglesias, Willian José, Nabil Fekir, Juanmi, and the brilliant Sergio Canales for Real Betis lining up against the dynamic duo of Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz.

The 18-year-old Wirtz has taken the Bundesliga by storm this season. But Schick is still the main man for Leverkusen in attack, and the +200 on him scoring in this match looks appealing.

Neither team is convincing defensively, so we should be in for an open, high-scoring game on Thursday.

Real Betis to Score in the First Half -118

Real Betis has scored during the first half of its last four home matches. They tend to come out flying, so we should see a lively opening to this game.

Bayer Leverkusen’s players could still be a little dejected after conceding five goals in the first half of their tilt against Bayern Munich over the weekend, so it wouldn't be surprising to see them concede again before the break. The club has now conceded nine first-half goals over eight Bundesliga games this season, and it may struggle to contain Betis in the first half of this match.