Given Xabi Alonso’s side are still unbeaten in all competitions and on course to win the Bundesliga title that’s understandable.

But given the gulf between most Premier League and German sides, pundits should be wary of rushing to write West Ham off too soon.

West Ham underdogs for Leverkusen quarter-final

Qarabag have already showed Leverkusen can be got at defensively by scoring four goals against them over their two last 16 legs.

The Azerbaijani side came within minutes of knocking West Ham’s last eight opponents out.

And – ironically – Freiburg showed Leverkusen can be got at on Sunday, days after being smashed 5-0 by the Hammers.

There has been much debate about whether it would be better or worse if Leverkusen were to maintain their unbeaten record ahead of facing David Moyes’ side.

Better for Hammers to face Germans with unbeaten record in tact?

There is a feeling West Ham could rise to the occasion of being the first to inflict defeat on the German title favourites.

And now a European football expert suggests West Ham could be playing Bayer Leverkusen at the perfect time.

West Ham go to Germany for the first leg on Thursday April 11th before welcoming Leverkusen back to the London Stadium on April 18th.

Sky Sports analyst and Euro football specialist Dougie Critchley thinks there are signs Leverkusen are faltering and could taste defeat soon.

‘Performances have taken a notable dip’

“Seems a ridiculous thing to say about a team with a chance of winning three trophies this season, but I am ever so slightly worried about Leverkusen,” Critchley said.

“Their performances have taken a notable (and perhaps inevitable) dip in the last month.

“Three red cards for opponents in their last three Buli (Bundesliga) games, four goals conceded against Qarabag… Freiburg looking for a response from midweek will be a test!”

And a test it was as the side West Ham saw off with ease scored another two against them in a 3-2 defeat.

He told West Ham fans – many of whom had not heard of Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus before the club signed them in the summer – what fantastic additions they would be.

Alonso’s side play Union Berlin away, Werder Bremen at home and then Borussia Dortmund away before and after the first and second legs.

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