Europe’s second and third-tier competitions return this week after the previous weeks of the play-off round, meaning the tournaments now enter the round of 16 stage.
The UEFA Europa Conference League may be the third-best European tournament, but some top sides from around the continent are still taking part. The stand-out game of this round sees two former Champions League winners come together as four-time winners Ajax take on 1981/82 winners Aston Villa.
Other big games see Union St. Gilloise take on Fenerbahce and Club Brugge travel to Norway to face Molde.
With drama sure to come, we’ve picked out our top tips and booking codes for the upcoming fixtures:
Ajax vs Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins has certified himself as one of the English Premier League’s leading strikers in recent seasons, scoring over 10 goals in all of his four seasons in the top flight. This campaign, however, has seen Watkins improve his game once again with this not only being his highest-scoring season already with 16 league goals and 21 in all competitions but also his highest assists in the league with 10.
The striker is coming into this game against Ajax in great form too, scoring five goals in his last three games as Aston Villa have returned to winning ways after a slight stumble earlier in the month.
Watkins will fancy his chances of continuing his goalscoring run against Ajax as the Dutch side have struggled this season, finding themselves fifth in the league while they have only won twice in their last seven games. This poor run of results for Ajax combined with Watkins’ fantastic form makes us believe that the striker will score once again in this one.
Ollie Watkins to score anytime, 2.15
Union St. Gilloise vs Fenerbahce
Union St. Gilloise and Fenerbahce both come into this tie enjoying fantastic seasons with USG top of the Belgian Pro League by 11 points and Fenerbahce sit second in the Turkish Super Lig with just one loss this season.
USG have won all of their last five games heading into this tie, and their home form this season has seen them lose just one of the 22 games they have played at the Stade Joseph Marien. This leaves them with a big advantage in the first leg of this matchup, and while Fenerbahce are yet to lose an away game in their league campaign this season we believe that USG’s home advantage will help them to victory in this game.
Union St. Gilloise to win, 2.42
Molde vs Club Brugge
Molde come into this tie having beaten Legia Warszawa 6-2 on aggregate in the playoff round, with their 3-0 away victory in Poland being the last competitive match that they have played with the Norwegian league season not set to start until April.
This lack of competitive action for Molde may give Club Brugge an advantage heading into this game with Molde’s match sharpness potentially being lower than the Belgian side, who have played 28 games in their league season.
While Club Brugge have struggled in recent weeks, picking up just one win in their last four games, we believe that their involvement in competitive matches around this tie will help them be sharper than their opponents and help them take the victory.
Club Brugge to win, 2.40
Booking Codes: 6BDDKZ7, 6BDDP7M
