While this week is hosting the second set of the UEFA Champions League first-legs in the round of 16 stage of the tournament, the UEFA Europa League’s second leg of the knockout play-off round is set to take place on Thursday.
Eight games will be played with the aggregate winners moving into the round of 16, playing against those who won their Europa League groups earlier in the season. Some sides will be moving into this second leg with the advantage of having taken a big victory in the first game, while others will see a tight game after a more even first-leg result.
With all the sides playing to advance to the next round, there is sure to be plenty of drama throughout the games. Read on as we pick out our top tips and booking codes in advance of the drama:
Roma vs Feyenoord
Romelu Lukaku may not have had the most prolific of season’s last campaign with Inter, but he looks almost back to his best this season with Roma. Lukaku comes into this second leg with Feyenoord as the joint-top goal scorer of the Europa League with six goals, alongside Joao Pedro and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Roma will need him to take his tally to at least seven in the next game though, with the tie all square heading into the second leg in Rome. A 1-1 draw in the last game saw Lukaku score the equaliser, and this time around Roma will be hoping he can score the winner.
While we do expect this to be another tight game between the two sides, we believe that Lukaku will get on the scoresheet once again for Roma in this one.
Romelu Lukaku to score anytime, 2.25
Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk gave us one of the most even and dramatic affairs in the first-leg as the game finished 2-2 with a goal each from the 90th minute onwards. This time around the game will take place at Marseille’s home stadium the Orange Velodrome, giving the French side a huge boost coming into the second leg.
While Marseille’s season has not gone quite to plan, sitting ninth in the table and without victory in their last seven games in all competitions, their home form has been their one saving grace so far. Of the 15 games that they have played at the Orange Velodrome this season, they have lost on just one occasion. This came in the second leg of their Champions League qualification game and despite initially winning the match in normal time, the aggregate scores were all level with Marseille eventually losing on penalties.
This undefeated home record in normal time will certainly give the French side plenty of confidence, and we believe that this will be enough to push them over the line against a Shakhtar side who were unable to capitalise on their home advantage in the first leg.
Marseille to win, 1.75
Sporting vs Young Boys
Viktor Gyokeres has been a sensation for Sporting since joining from EFL Championship side Coventry City in the summer window. The Swedish international has netted an impressive 16 goals in 20 Liga Portugal appearances, equalling to a goal every 112 minutes, while he has also scored a further 12 goals in other competitions – 28 in 31 overall – including four in six Europa league games.
This goalscoring form has helped Sporting to a brilliant campaign so far, including taking just two losses in their last 15 games. With them already 3-1 up on aggregate after the first-leg against Young Boys, we expect that Sporting will be looking to put the game to bed quickly in this one and whenever Sporting win, Gyokeres seems to score.
Viktor Gyokeres to score anytime, 1.85
Booking Codes:
68CRJ6N, 68CRKGQ
1 Comment
by Boniface
Thanks