The Europa League reaches the Round of 16 this week and it is yet another quick turnaround 
for teams with the first leg this week followed by the second leg seven days later. There are still plenty of big name teams, Inter, AS Roma, Man Utd, Wolves, Rangers, Sevilla, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt still remaining in the tournament to name but a few.
We said goodbye to Celtic and Arsenal from the tournament in the last round as both succumbed to disappointing exits at home, Celtic well beaten 3-1 by Copenhagen at home after a draw on the road, while Arsenal could only manage a 2-1 win at home after a 1-0 defeat away to Olympiakos to go out of the tournament on away goals.
There’s some intriguing games this week with Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen probably the pick of the games involving the British teams. While Sevilla taking on AS Roma should be a cracking game over two legs, as should Inter’s clash with Getafe.
We’ve been close on a few acca’s in the Europa League in recent times, so let’s hope this fourfold selection will end up in another winner for us this week. Here’s my tips for Thursday’s action.
Bet Analysis: Thursday 12th March
LASK Linz v Manchester United – Draw
Many Manchester United fans were celebrating what they felt was a favourable draw when they drew Linz out of the hat, but this is a very decent Austrian side that have beaten Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, AZ67 and Rosenborg at home in this season’s competition and who have also beaten Red Bull Salzburg away from home, 4-1, in recent weeks. United’s away form in this competition isn’t great either, so this could be a lot trickier than many people expect and as such, I have backed United to earn a draw here, rather than the win the bookies seem to think will happen.
Sevilla v AS Roma – Home Win
No team has been more decorated in the Europa League than five-times winners of the tournament Sevilla, however the Spanish side face a very tough test against an AS Roma side who have probably got the best chance of lifting some silverware in this trophy this season as they are miles off the pace in Serie A. In truth, both of these sides are somewhat in transition and are not quite at their peak of a few years back. As a result, I can’t see this being a tie that has a huge amount of goals but one that is likely going to be decided by the team that defends better over the two legs. As such, I can see Sevilla taking just a narrow lead, perhaps 1-0, into the second leg in Rome in seven days time.
Olympiakos v Wolves – Draw
After sending Arsenal packing out of the competition, Olympiakos now get a chance at another English team in Wolves, but I think this side may be the undoing of the Greek side. Wolves have been in great form in Europe since their opening day defeat to Braga in the Group Stage. Since then, Nuno Santos team have been very strong and put on a superb display beating Espanyol in the last round. Their experience in Europe is key here and I think they have the ability to hurt Olympiakos on the counter in Athens and steal an away goal. Furthermore, if they can come into the home leg all square, I am sure Wolves will fancy their chances. As such, I think this has the look of a score draw.
Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen – Away Win
Rangers may have been delighted to have got past Braga in the last round, especially after being 2-0 down at home at one point in the first leg, but they now face an even greater task in the form of Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen. The German side swept aside FC Porto 2-1 at home and 3-1 on the road to reach the next round of the tournament and they have top quality players in all positions in the team right across the pitch. Ibrox is a fearsome stadium to play in on European nights but Rangers form at the moment is very poor and as such, I don’t think they are going into this game in great confidence. They’ll battle hard I am sure, but I think Leverkusen have too much quality not to win this.
Author: Dean Wyatt
Dean Wyatt is the founder and editor here at Acca Nation. He’s been betting sports for over 20 years and is a profitable sports trader on the exchanges.
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