Leverkusen vs Union SG Europa League quarter-final first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, predicted line-ups

Leverkusen and Union SG meet in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday 13 April.

Where to watch Leverkusen vs Union SG on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Europa League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

Leverkusen may have little to go on in terms of previous meetings as they prepare to take on Belgian surprise package Union SG, but the 1987/88 UEFA Cup winners will know to be wary of Karel Geraerts' side, who eliminated high-ranking Bundesliga opponents Union Berlin in the last round, having eclipsed the same team in the group stage.

The Werkself had a miserable start to the season but have picked themselves up in impressive fashion under new coach Xabi Alonso, a 2-1 win against Bayern München on 19 March a significant coup. Union SG, meanwhile, continue to live the dream during their first season in UEFA club competition, with Victor Boniface (a summer signing from Bodø/Glimt) one of the competition's top scorers, with five goals.

Predicted line-ups

Leverkusen: Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Palacios, Andrich, Hincapie; Diaby, Wirtz, Adli
Misses next match if booked: Bakker, Demirbay, Kossounou, Wirtz

Union SG: Moris; Nieuwkoop, Kandouss, Burgess, Van Der Heyden; Lynen, Teuma, Lapoussin; Adingra, Amani, Boniface
Misses next match if booked: Lynen, Van Der Heyden

Form guide

Leverkusen
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWWWW
Where they stand: 6th in German Bundesliga

Union SG
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWWWWD
Where they stand: 2nd in Belgian First League

Expert predictions

James Thorogood, match reporter
After one of the worst starts to a season in club history, Leverkusen have found their form thanks to Xabi Alonso's ingenuity and Florian Wirtz returning from a long-term knee injury without having lost his spark. The Werkself have fashioned an outside chance at a top four finish in the Bundesliga, but recreating Frankfurt's run to the Europa League title is an avenue into the UEFA Champions League they desperately want to keep open.

View from the camps

Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen coach: "No one underestimates Union SG . We have respect and expect a game at the highest level. The small details will matter and we must try to take control in the game. I see the hunger in my team: that is the most important thing when it comes to being successful. We expect two intense games and we have show the right mentality and focus, only then do we have a chance."

Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen sporting director: "They showed how good they are in their games against Union Berlin. We are looking forward to starting with a home game and trying to lay the foundation for qualifying again. We will do all we can to get to the semi-finals."

Karel Geraerts, Union SG coach: "It will not be easy. Their league position is irrelevant; they are all strong teams in Germany. If we want to qualify, and that is the objective, then we will have to be at our absolute best, as we were against Union Berlin. I am happy that we can finish the tie at home."

Where is the 2023 Europa League final?

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Budapest's Puskás Aréna will host the final on 31 May 2023.

The winners gain a place in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition.