This Thursday marks the end of fixtures all across Europe. As teams meet for the first round of quarter-final fixtures in the UEL. The Conference league will also see its first round of fixtures in the quarter-finals today and this would be an entertaining one to watch.
There is an abundance of fixtures to choose from for this today’s selections. We have carefully curated the best selections for our readers today.
Straight Wins.
West Ham is the overwhelming favorite to win the opening leg in Cyprus. West Ham lost to Brighton (4-0) over the weekend, which was their 14th Premier League loss of the season. Nevertheless, the Irons should be able to bounce back on Thursday when they take on underdog Larnaca in the Round of 16 of the European Conference League. West Ham should have much too much class in their arsenal to face a low-level Larnaca team given that they have won all eight of their assignments in competitions thus far. Our Larnaca vs. West Ham prediction predicts an away victory in light of this. Bet9ja have 1.65 odds, Paripesa have 1.64 odds and 1xBet have 1.64 odds.
While Anderlecht has the advantage of playing Villarreal at home, it is unlikely to have much of an effect because the visitors have become accustomed to winning their Europa League and Conference League games in recent years. The winner of the 2020–21 Europa League is among the top clubs in these two competitions during the previous five years, along with Sevilla, thus it would be challenging for the home team to win on March 9. Villarreal’s manager will choose to make a few changes to his starting Lineup after four straight defeats in La Liga, and we are certain it will be enough to help his team defeat Anderlecht easily. Bet9ja have 2.04 odds, Paripesa have 1.96 odds and 1xBet have 1.96 odds.
In each of the meetings between Union Berlin and Union Saint-Gilloise, the visiting team prevailed by a slim margin. The previous several weeks have seen a shaky performance from the two teams. In the last five games, just one victory for each side was achieved. Union Berlin, however, can feel quite confident knowing that they are very good at home and that they haven’t lost at home since September 2022. Ironically, Union Saint-Gilloise last defeated Berlin on the road. Bet9ja have 1.68 odds, Paripesa have 1.72 odds and 1xBet have 1.72 odds.
This is a competition with six victories under its belt since 2006, Sevilla has had a lot of success and should be confident going into the opening leg of their round of 16 matchups at home against Fenerbahçe. Although the Turkish visitors are in better form and have not lost in seven games, this is a higher caliber opponent than what they are accustomed to seeing at home Although Rennes would be the greatest club they have faced during that run, Fenerbahçe is also unbeaten in eleven Europa League games this season, and they were twice held to score draws against the French team. Sevilla has been quite dependable at home despite their troubles this season, winning five of their past six games there. Bet9ja have 1.80 odds, Paripesa have 1.81 odds and 1xBet have 1.81 odds.
Gent overcame Qarabag in the European Conference League playoff round with the help of penalties, and another close game against Istanbul Basaksehir in the round of 16 appears to be in the cards. From the beginning of the year, the Buffalo’s performance has been a touch hit-and-miss, but at least they come into Thursday’s game having won three of their previous four games. Istanbul Basaksehir had a somewhat better road record, defeating Antwerp 3-1 to advance to the Conference League while also winning at Hearts on their way to winning their group. Home form is going to be the key to this tie and if there is to be a winner in the first leg. Gent may just have enough firepower to gain a small advantage for the return journey to Istanbul. Bet9ja have 2.02 odds, Paripesa have 2.08 odds and 1xBet have 2.08 odds.
Over 2.5
After the winter break, Shakhtar started the season off in a wonderful way. Feyenoord is still in first position in the Eredivisie, three points ahead of Ajax. We should see an interesting battle between two highly effective attacking teams because both sides are into this game with strong momentum. Both clubs will also be missing some significant defensive line components. In four games played since the winter break, Shakhtar was three times above 2.5 goals. They defeated Metalist 1925 by a score of seven in their most recent game, so they will be confident. In the previous seven games in all competitions, Feyenoord was above 2.5 goals five times. Feyenoord scored 14 goals in the seven games. Bet9ja have 1.83 odds, Paripesa have 1.92 odds and 1xBet have 1.92 odds.
The Andalusians have however thrived in Europe despite their difficulties in La Liga, especially at this location where they have won nine and drawn one of their last 10 EL games. In reality, despite their recent troubles, Sevilla has won five of their six most recent home games, including a crushing 3:0 triumph against PSV in the play-off round last month. Despite a current slump in form, Sevilla has consistently demonstrated a desire to compete in European tournaments. They should also enjoy playing at home as Fenerbahçe looks to capitalize on their recent success. Regardless of the outcome, this game will include goals because both sides have been scoring goals often. Bet9ja have 1.92 odds, Paripesa have 2.01 odds and 1xBet have 2.01 odds.
This season, Fiorentina has performed well in the Europa Conference League, and with its Serie A place reasonably safe, they can afford to concentrate on breaking a 22-year major trophy drought. Similar to Fiorentina, the Turkish team is involved in a domestic relegation battle, although the Europa Conference League has provided some respite from local life. The Turkish Cup holders haven’t had a problem scoring goals, but keeping them out has been a different story. Karagumruk scored four goals against them this past weekend, and they’ve let up 11 goals in eight matches in Europe this year. With 21 goals so far this season, Fiorentina leads the Conference League in scoring. Bet9ja have 1.74 odds, Paripesa have 1.75 odds and 1xBet have 1.75 odds.
This season’s third Europa Conference League matchup between these two teams has Basel looking for its first victory against a Slovan squad playing in their first European knockout match in 54 years. Slovan defeated Basel when they came to St. Jakob-Park in October of last year, amid a challenging first half of the RotBlau’s season. Outcomes did slowly start to improve for the 20-time Swiss champions, who brilliantly saw off Trabzonspor in the Europa Conference League playoff round, part of a run of four wins in their past six matches in all competitions. Both teams appear poised to score in this situation since they need to end this deadlock quickly. An over 2.5 goals outcome looks the most likely here as we predict. Bet9ja have 1.86 odds, Paripesa have 1.85 odds and 1xBet have 1.85 odds.
Anytime Goal scorers
Zeqiri
Zeqiri was also on the scoresheet when the two sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Bratislava, and more goals are expected when they reconvene. Slovan has scored at least twice in their last four outings in the Conference League and heads into this last-16 first-leg fresh from scoring four at the weekend in their domestic Fortuna Liga. Bet9ja have 2.25 odds while Paripesa have 2.00 odds.
Gianluca Scamacca
Gianluca Scamacca’s chances to shine in the Premier League have become sparse, however, the Italian has been the Irons’ go-to-guy in the Europa Conference League this term. The Italian striker has already scored four times for West Ham in the competition and the 24-year-old could boost that tally even further on Thursday. Bet9ja have 2.75 odds while Paripesa have 2.25 odds.
Ángel Di María
Ángel Di María has scored four goals across Juventus’ last four games, including a hat-trick to see off Nantes. The Argentine winger should have a major say in today’s proceedings as he has the talent to do so. An adept goalscorer and he has been instrumental in Juventus’s partially steady season. He has three goals already in the competition and can add more today. Bet9ja have 2.50 odds while Paripesa have 2.00 odds.
Santiago Gimenez
Santiago Gimenez was the joint top-scorer during the UEL group stage (G4). His goals haven’t dried up since then. The Mexican forward has four to his name in Europe and enters this fixture in good goalscoring form having netted in four of his last six outings. Bet9ja have 2.75 odds while Paripesa have 2.30 odds.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
