The Europa League continues with the second round of 16 playoff games, with a lot of the teams looking to turn over results and some preserving their leads. We’ve certainly waited a long time to see these teams in action, with many of the big names surprising us today. There are a lot of fixtures to watch out for, and we have selected the best out of them with the optimal predictions for each match.
Straight Wins.
After a 1-1 draw in Turin, Juventus, and Nantes are set for a face-off. Stade de la Beaujoire will be hosting the second leg of Round of 16 games between these two European giants. The first-leg draw has dented Juventus’ campaign in one of the few occasions of playing in the Europa League in recent years. A loss or a draw will end Juventus’ hopes in Europa League. Allegri’s men served up a solid away showing to beat Spezia 2-0 on Sunday, however, with Angel di Maria to the fore once more. Distracted by the looming second leg, Nantes was not quite at it on Sunday in a lame 3-1 loss at Lens. But although they should be more focused against Juve, the visitors have too much quality and motivation to let them off the hook again. Bet9ja have 1.84 odds, Paripesa have 1.85 odds and 1xBet have 1.85 odds.
CFR Cluj remain in the hunt for a sixth consecutive Liga I title after their 3-1 win over the weekend halted a three-game losing streak. That streak included a 1-0 defeat in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) play-off first leg against Lazio. A 1-0 home win is always a good tournament result but the class difference between the two teams suggested at least a 2-0 or 3-0 victory for the team from Rome. What’s done is done and now coach Mauricio Sari’s boys will have to travel to Romania as they have unfinished business. They played for 75 minutes with a suspended player in the previous match and CFR Cluj couldn’t exploit that advantage. We doubt that simple home-field support will be decisive for the Romanians. Bet9ja have 1.98 odds, Paripesa have 1.93 odds and 1xBet have 1.93 odds.
Roma will try to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit at the Olimpico by winning a tight Europa League quarterfinal match against Red Bull Salzburg. The game played last Thursday in Austria wasn’t particularly exciting, and a draw would have more accurately described the outcome. The team of Jose Mourinho was defeated by Nicolas Capaldo’s late sucker punch of a header after failing to take advantage of their finest opportunities in either half. Backing the hosts to win in 90 minutes seems a solid play given they have won six of their last nine home European games and Salzburg have lost four of their last six on the road. Bet9ja have 1.70 odds, Paripesa have 1.74 odds and 1xBet have 1.74 odds.
Midtjylland made it through a challenging journey to Stadium Jose Alvalade and left the Portuguese city with a 1-1 draw seven days earlier. Even in the first leg’s 90th minute in Lisbon last week, the Danish team held a lead but ultimately let up a late Sebastian Coates equalizer. Only three days ago, both sides played their respective Monday evening domestic league matches. The difference in quality between these two sides may have been seen most clearly a week ago in Lisbon, where Sporting CP easily outclassed the opposition. Quality, European experience, and the Portuguese team’s performance during the first leg all lead to a victory. Bet9ja have 1.84 odds, Paripesa have 1.89 odds and 1xBet have 1.89 odds.
Over 2.5
On Thursday night, PSV Eindhoven will play host to Sevilla in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout round playoffs round, continuing their busy schedule. After conceding three goals in a row in the first leg, which was played seven days ago on Spanish soil, the squad from Eindhoven will have a mountain to climb to get back into the match. In Stadium Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the game was essentially evenly balanced, but Sevilla was able to take advantage of the volatility and create a significant lead before the rematch in the Netherlands. We expect PSV to go all-out attack early in the game in an attempt to get themselves back in the tie with an early goal or even maybe two. This can cause a major ripple effect ticking our over 2.5 goals prediction Bet9ja have 1.84 odds, Paripesa have 1.93 odds and 1xBet have 1.93 odds.
As Bayer Leverkusen lost to Mainz at home on Sunday, they suddenly let up three goals, continuing their poor play. For Xabi Alonso and his team, it was their third domestic league loss in the previous four games. By giving up two late goals in the first leg of this Europa League match with Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen blew a 2-1 advantage. This includes a goal scored in stoppage time by center-back Axel Disasi. Monaco will approach this with a lot more optimism. On Sunday, they defeated Brest 1-2 on the road to earning another domestic triumph. Goals are a foregone conclusion in this match, and we shouldn’t be shocked to see another goal frenzy when these two clubs face off. Bet9ja have 1.70 odds, Paripesa have 1.80 odds and 1xBet have 1.80 odds.
The Danish team has struggled this season, which is maybe understandable given the high rate of player turnover, but they tend to save their finest performances for European competition. This week’s matchup between Sporting and its local rivals might be as high-scoring as those two previous encounters were, as Midtjylland might prepare better than they did in Lisbon. Yet, they have a strong counterattacking unit and could attempt to drag Sporting onto them to get an advantage during transitions. A Sporting defense that has let up five goals in their past three games and nine times in their last four group games of a Champions League campaign that has sputtered can be troubled by Midtjylland, who have enough offensive firepower. Bet9ja have 1.86 odds, Paripesa have 1.98 odds and 1xBet have 1.98 odds.
The club from Belgium’s capital had the initiative from the first minute of the second half of the game, made several chances, and attacked, but they were unable to capitalize on their superiority by scoring, therefore they were ultimately sent home empty-handed. The defensive line of the Brussels giants, who has only been able to keep its net intact twice in the previous 15 home games, is the team’s worst weakness. Goals are in the air here! While the Bulgarian squad patiently awaits the proper moment, Anderlecht will attempt to catch up on the backlog from the first leg. In that case, we anticipate engaging, offensive, and goal-scoring football for the whole 90 minutes. Bet9ja have 1.98 odds, Paripesa have 2.01 odds and 1xBet have 2.01 odds.
Anytime Goal scorers
Mohammed Kudus
Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus will hope to have a say after making six goal contributions in seven European appearances this season (G4, A2). The Ghanaian forward also scored the last goal of the game in their 4-0 weekend win against Sparta Rotterdam before revealing a touching tribute to the late Christian Atsu. A lot is riding on today’s match and we expect a solid performance from him. Bet9ja have 4.50 odds while Paripesa have 4.00 odds.
Immobile
Ciro Immobile has been praised by Sarri as a “striker who lives for goals.” He has scored Lazio’s last three competitive goals and has four contributions (G2, A2) in five UEFA matches this season. He surely looks the type to extend that run and help his side over the line expertly. Bet9ja have 2.50 odds while Paripesa have 2.15 odds.
Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus’ forward Dusan Vlahovic has been in top form this season. In the first leg game against Nantes, he put Juventus in lead with his brace in the game’s first 15 minutes. Young Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic has scored 9 goals so far for Juventus. Vlahovic with his Polish striker mate Arkadiusz Milik has worked wonders for the team. Vlahovic will be taking charge of to forward Juventus campaign in the Europa league. Bet9ja have 2.75 odds while Paripesa have 2.40 odds.
Gustav Isaksen
The hosts’ in-form forward Gustav Isaksen could have a major say in any upset as the Danish Under-21 international arrives fresh from arguably the best performance of his career. He scored three fine goals and had a hand in FCM’s other in a 4-0 win at second-placed Viborg on Monday. Bet9ja have 5.00 odds while Paripesa have 4.50 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.
