Preview: Barcelona vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Barcelona are strong favourites to progress through to the quarter-final of the Champions League as they lead visiting Bayer Leverkusen 3-1.

Alex Sanchez scored twice during Barca's win in Germany, but the Chilean will miss the return leg with a thigh injury.

Other than the absence of Sanchez, coach Pep Guardiola has a near fully fit squad to select from.

Visiting Leverkusen travel to Spain without an away win in the Champions League from their last 12 attempts.

Stefan Kiessling scored against Bayern Munich at the weekend and is expected to take his place in the Leverkusen starting lineup on Wednesday evening.

Current form:

Leverkusen: DWLWWW Barcelona: WLWWWW

Leverkusen: Leno; Toprak, Friedrich, Kadlec, Schwaab; Reinartz, Bender, Kiessling, Augusto; Schurrle, Castro

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano; Keita, Busquets, Xavi; Iniesta, Fabregas, Messi

Sports Mole says 2-0