Confirmed lineups: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague

Official team news has just been released for Die Werkself who host Sparta Prague to round off the group phase on Matchday 8 of the UEFA Champions League.

With just over an hour to go until kick-off, Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has announced his starting eleven to take on a plucky Sparta Prague side. The team from the Czechia capital are currently sitting in third place with 37 points after 19 rounds of domestic Czech Liga action, however the Champions League has proven to be a different beast 

As for Leverkusen, they stand every chance of achieving a top-eight finish which would ensure passage to the quarter-final stage. Aside from a heavy defeat to Liverpool and a narrow loss to Atletico Madrid, Xavi Alonso’s men have been pretty consistent thus far with 13 points from 7 outings. A win tonight would greatly boost their chances of achieving that group phase goal. 

Tonight, Xabi Alonso makes five alterations to their line-up which were held to a 2-2 stalemate by a dogged RB Leipzig team last Saturday afternoon. Matej Kovár starts between the sticks while the back three is compromised of Nordi Mukiele, captain Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba.

In midfield, Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo play on the flanks either side of Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios. Florian Wirtz partners Nathan Tella in the double-ten roles as Patrik Schick continues to lead the line as Victor Boniface looks certain to depart for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

As for the hosts, they come into tonight on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Italian giants Internazionale last Wednesday. Head coach Lars Friis starts with a 3-4-2-1 formation and his side captained by 28-year-old Danish centre-half Asger Sørensen.

Official lineups below:

Bayer Leverkusen: (3-4-2-1): Kovár – Mukiele, Tah (c), Tapsoba – Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo – Wirtz, Tella – Schick

Sparta Prague: (3-4-1-2): Vindahl – Vitik, Sevinsky, Sørensen (c) – Wiesner, Sadilek, Kairinen, Zeleny – Laçi – Olatunji, Birmancevic