The newly introduced Europa League knockout playoffs begin this week, and the draw has thrown up some intriguing ties. The two-legged fixtures will be played over the next two weeks and feature teams that finished third in their Champions League group against Europa League group stage runners-up. Here’s a look ahead to the eight games:
Feyenoord v Roma
This match looks like an exceptionally difficult tie to call. Feyenoord is a formidable opponent at home but lost all three of their away games in the Champions League group stages. Meanwhile, Roma are experiencing a season of upheaval, having sacked manager Jose Mourinho and have already lost eight matches in Serie A.
If the Dutch side are to progress, they will probably need to establish a solid lead after Thursday’s home leg. Star striker Santiago Gimenez has been struggling of late but still has 34 goals in 41 league games for the team. If he can rediscover his scoring boots on Thursday, Feyenoord will have an excellent chance of winning the tie.
Galatasaray v Sparta Prague
The big problem for Sparta here is that they have only played one competitive game in the last seven weeks due to the long Winter break in the Czech league. That hands a big advantage to a Galatasaray side packed with high quality talents such as Dries Mertens, Hakim Ziyech and Wilfried Zaha. The Turkish side currently sit top of their domestic league and have won their last five games.
This looks like a tall order for Sparta. Most bitcoin sports betting sites have them at long odds of getting anything from Thursday’s first league.
Shakhtar Donetsk v Marseille
It has been over two months since Shakhtar’s last competitive game. Yet, they have performed remarkably well when placed in similar situations previously. They will also be encouraged by the terrible form of their French opponents. Marseille have not won any of their last five games, including a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Metz at the weekend.
The bookies have Marseille as favourites to win the first leg, but Shakhtar will fancy their chances of upsetting those odds. This looks like another tough game to call, and it would be no surprise if the teams went into next week’s second leg all square.
Young Boys v Sporting Lisbon
Two in-form teams meet in another fascinating looking fixture. Swiss champions, Young Boys host a Sporting Lisbon side that lost just one of their six Europa League group games. Sporting have won their last three games by a combined score of 16-0 and are averaging almost three goals a game in the Portuguese league.
Young Boys are seven points clear at the top of the Swiss league as they win for a 17th national title. Despite their fine domestic form, they were never in the hunt for Champion League progression and finished eight points adrift of second place.
This could be the most exciting tie of the round, but a goal fest seems highly likely. Over the two legs, Sporting should have enough to progress. However, don’t be surprised to see Young Boys securing a first-leg advantage this week.
AC Milan v Rennes
On the face of it, this looks like a relatively straightforward assignment for an in-form Milan team. The Rossoneri are unbeaten since early December and are playing their football of the season. With talents such as Olivier Giroud, Luka Jovic and Theo Hernandez in their ranks, it is easy to see why the bookmakers have them as big favourites to progress.
However, Rennes have won all seven of their games in 2024. Perhaps more importantly, they were victorious in their final two away games in the group stage. This is a square brimming with confidence, and they will not be intimidated by a visit to the San Siro.
Benfica v Toulouse
Benfica are huge favourites to claim a big first leg advantage, as they host a badly out-of-form Toulouse side. Since losing their first four Champion League group games, Benfica are unbeaten in 18 matches across all competitions. This form has seen them top their domestic league and progress to the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup.
In contrast, Toulouse have just three wins in their last nine games. That dismal run includes a limp home defeat to Nantes at the weekend. They will need a big upturn in form to get anything from their trip to Lisbon. This is a game where it is hard to argue against the bookies’ verdict of a big home win.
Braga v Qarabag
Braga will be looking to bounce back from a 5-0 humiliation against Sporting Lisbon when they host Qarabag in Thursday’s first leg. In truth, that result was indicative of where Braga are currently – good enough to beat the majority of clubs domestically but some way short of the ‘Big Three’ in Portugal.
Fortunately for Brage, Qarabag are arguably the weakest side remaining in the competition. They finished eight points behind Leverkusen in Europa League group H, and despite enjoying a huge 17 point lead in their domestic league, they lack the quality to trouble the continent’s elite. Anything less than a comfortable home win will represent a big surprise.
Lens v Freiburg
Last but not least, Lens host Freiburg in the first leg of a very tight-looking tie. After remaining unbeaten at home in a Champions League group containing Arsenal and PSV, Lens will be looking to maintain their strong form at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. They have lost just twice at home all season and are firm favourites to take a lead into next week’s second leg.
Freiburg were slightly unlucky to finish second in their Europa League group after winning four of their six group games. Unfortunately for the German side, they have hit a run of poor form at the worst possible time. They have lost their last three Bundesliga games and have slipped to seventh in the league. Thursday would be a perfect time to halt that form, but it looks a tough ask against a side renowned for their stellar home performance.
