The UEFA Europa League’s appeal has grown exponentially over recent years. This season we have seen upsets, massive triumphs, amazing goals, and everything else the beautiful game has to offer. As we head into the round-of-16 there is considerable value in each fixture, and you know the bigger teams are here to give it their all.
Two similar teams in RB Leipzig and Atalanta battle it out in the early kick-off, before a triple header grasps our full attention. The last Premier League side to visit Sevilla were West Ham’s London rivals Chelsea, who won 4-0 in the 2019/20 UCL group stage – Oliver Giroud scoring all four goals. Then, competition favourites to lift the trophy, Barcelona, travel to Eintracht Frankfurt territory, as they continue to display dominance under the reign of Xavi Hernandez. Finally, Rangers look to do one better than last seasons quarter final exit coming up against Portuguese side Braga.
Check out form, results, odds, and more in our UEFA Europa League quarter-finals preview.
Thursday 7 April
RB Leipzig 8/10
Draw 28/10
Atalanta 31/10
(18:45)
RB Leipzig have the honour of hosting the first-leg of the quarter-finals at the Red Bull Arena on Thursday, and Atalanta will be eager to put a spanner in the works.
In the league, Leipzig has been competitive alongside the established sides, currently fourth but a long way from knocking on that door for the top of the table.
The Germans could not cut it in the premier UEFA competition, and the round-of-16 qualifying fixture in the Europa League was where they found themselves. Two hotly contested legs took place against Real Sociedad. The 2-2 home draw followed by a 1-3 away win in Spain earned The Red Bulls a quarter-final spot.
Swede Emile Forsberg, Christopher Nkunku, who on recent form got called up by the French national squad, and finally, one of the most in form strikers across all leagues this season, Andre Silva, are all a formidable attack to be weary of. Their round-of-16 draw was a walk over, as Spartak Moscow were blocked from participating, being a Russian based club.
After a decent start in the Serie A, Atalanta have stumbled of recent. Like their opposition, The Black and Blues were unable to make the cut in the UEFA Champions League, and their round-of-16 qualifying fixture proved a rather simple feat trumping Olympiakos 2-1 on home soil and thumping the Greeks 0-3 away, a staggering 5-1 on aggregate. The R16 draw handed the Italians Bayer Leverkusen, who earned the second most points in the Europa League group stages. Atalanta got the job done 4-2 on aggregate thanks to Ruslan Malinovskyi who assisted three of the goals and scoring one, while Luis Muriel scored two and assisted one.
Of the Europa League quarter finals, this early kick off is without question the hardest of the four to call. One common feature is the ability of the defence to have blunders and both sides have conceded a fair number of goals this season. Both teams to score is my play, and on home soil I believe Leipzig can edge it. Double Chance: Leipzig/Draw & Both Teams to Score (Yes) at even money.
West Ham United 21/20
Draw 49/20
Lyon 51/20
(21:00)
The only hope for the Premier League in the UEL is London based outfit, West Ham, who under David Moyes have truly come to life. The French opposition is no slouch, and their best hope for continental competition lies in the hands of their current campaign.
West Ham have punched above their weight for far too long, and under the tutelage of the current most experienced Premier League manager, David Moyes, the Hammers are slowly hitting their stride. The London based outfit collected 13 of a possible 18 points in Group H, the second most points of any other group stage club. Their only loss was a narrow 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. A tie in which they had already qualified and played reserve team and under-23 players to gain some experience.
In the round-of-16, West Ham drew six-time UEL champions Sevilla. Although they tasted a 1-0 defeat in Spain, they showed true grit to overturn their one goal deficit and progress with a 2-0 victory in front of the bubbly home crowd.
The Frenchmen have had a difficult run domestically, sitting ninth out of any contention for a European finish for the upcoming season. Les Dogues run in the UEL is the only hope, and they will have to win five matches to secure their spot. Only once before have Lyon managed to make it past the Europa League quarter finals in its current format. Lyon are undefeated this campaign with a run of eight fixtures, six wins and two draws. Goals from Lucas Paqueta and Moussa Dembele in a 0-1 away win versus Porto and a home 1-1 draw was enough to earn a France’s only hope at lifting a European trophy this season – if you’re not counting the Europa Conference League.
Neither club are lacking in goal creating opportunities, nor lack the ability to play football pleasing to the eye, so expect a spectacle. At the London stadium, West Ham definitely have the edge and should take this home victory.
Eintracht Frankfurt 36/10
Draw 31/10
Barcelona 13/20
(21:00)
Barcelona may be in the Europa League due to a dramatic drop in form, but recent form is the Barca of old and they are big favourites to claim the UEL trophy. Eintracht Frankfurt are unfortunate to draw the Catalan giants, and they have players who can hurt any opponent.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s twice, during their two-leg UEL fixtures have lacked nothing but a clean sheet. Yes, their round-of-16 saw them just about get over the line versus Real Betis, with the late drama mix up at the Deutsche Bank Park qualifying via a Real Betis own goal in the 120th-minute.
Bundesliga form took a slight upturn with back-to-back wins after losing three straight games to nil, but over the last two matchday’s shared spoils have been on the menu.
Lionel Messi’s departure coupled with an ageing squad, and a manager that seemed to have no vision for the way forward Barcelona were on a downward spiral. Dropping out of the Champions League group stages as well as a poor run of games in La Liga and finally sacking Ronald Koeman, there seemed a long rebuild awaiting the Spaniards. Club legend Xavi Hernandez as come in and painted a masterpiece with the right tools at his disposal, coupled by his vision of what the club is and can be. Barca had no easy run ins, defeating an in-form Napoli 5-3 on aggregate and Turkish giants Galatasaray 1-2 away to progress.
Eintracht Frankfurt have been admirable over their run to date but coming up against a rejuvenated Barcelona under the tutelage of legend Xavi in a purple patch of form, even a home ground advantage will not fare well in your favour. Get strongly behind Barca.
Braga 27/20
Draw 23/10
Rangers 2/1
(21:00)
Rangers travel to the Estadio Municipal de Braga to face Portuguese side Braga with both sides eager to create an upset this season. Either side have already challenged the odds, Braga got the better of Monaco and the Scott’s cleared one of the favourites to go all the way, Borussia Dortmund.
The league campaign for the title ended a few weeks ago for Braga. A top-four finish is always on the cards but there is still work to do for the Braguistas, luckily, with a slight margin for error. Two losses in their last ten appearances in all competitions is quality work from the Portuguese side. Braga’s round-of-16 tie was sealed in the first leg in my opinion with an early third minute goal from Abel Ruiz and a late 89th-minute strike from Vitor Oliveira to go into the second-leg two goals clear.
Ruiz came in strong again finding the net in the 19th-minute, and a late equaliser from Monaco earned the draw but not enough to stop Braga.
Rangers have surely made the league their priority after last season’s victory under Steven Gerrard. In the same campaign, The Gers were able to make it to the Europa League round-of-16 last campaign as well, faltering at the hands of Czech outfit Slavia Prague. This season they will be hoping to do one better and are in a prime position to make that happen. A confident showing against favourites Dortmund winning 6-2 on aggregate followed by a four two triumph against Red Star Belgrade has shown the boys from Scotland can pack a punch.
In Braga’s five home European fixtures this season, they have score 12 goals, and Rangers will be cautious in Portugal. The Scott’s are known for their defensive attributes and a 1-1 draw is the likely outcome in the quarter-final.
TREBLE @ 21/1
Double Chance: Leipzig/Draw & BTTS (Yes) 1/1
West Ham United Win 21/20
Barcelona Win 13/20
Braga vs Rangers – Draw 23/10
