Europa League: Round of 16 Tips
The Europa League returns for the second leg of the round of 16 and several of the ties are still delicately balanced.
There is also plenty of British interest with Liverpool, West Ham, Rangers and Brighton all in action. We have picked out the best bets for Thursday’s eight-game slate.
Tip 1 – Michael Gregoritsch to score at any time v West Ham @ 3/1
West Ham are 1-0 down from the first leg of their clash against Freiburg after a controversial defeat in Germany in which they were denied a late penalty.
The Hammers have been struggling recently with just two wins from their last 12 games in all competitions and they will have to hope that their impressive European form at home can see them reverse the deficit.
David Moyes’ side have won their last ten continental matches at the London Stadium and will need to repeat the trick if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.
Michael Gregoritsch netted the only goal in the first leg and his scoring record in this competition makes him a tempting prospect to do so again in the reverse fixture.
The Austrian striker has eight goals in the Europa League across the last two seasons and is averaging a successful strike every 60 minutes in this year’s competition.
Gregoritsch scored the winner in Freiburg’s win over VfL Bochum at the weekend and could be a value play to get in on the act again here.
Tip 2 – Sporting or draw double chance v Atalanta @ 9/10
Sporting and Atalanta meet for the fourth time this season in the second leg of this Europa League round-of-16 match.
The spoils were shared in a 1-1 draw in the first game and Sporting are fancied to avoid defeat in this second clash.
The Portuguese side have lost only one of their last 20 games in all competitions and they are taking on a home team who are winless in their last five matches.
Viktor Gyokeres has had one of the outstanding seasons in European football this term and the Swedish striker can help his team avoid a loss in Italy.
Tip 3 – Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in Liverpool v Sparta Prague @ 7/10
A 5-1 win in the first leg and an FA Cup clash against Manchester United on Sunday means that Liverpool are likely to field a youthful side when they host Sparta Prague in the second game of this round-of-16 tie. The visitors were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet more than once in the first game and both teams have found the net in six of Sparta’s last eight matches in all competitions.
However, expect the Reds’ youngsters to be dangerous and another high-scoring affair looks likely.
Nine of Sparta’s last ten games have gone over 2.5 goals and a repeat could be on the cards, alongside both teams finding the net.
First Leg Tips
The Round of 16 in the Europa League and Europa Conference League kicks off on Thursday, with five British sides still in their respective competitions.
Rangers, West Ham, Liverpool and Brighton all have Europa League clashes to look forward to, while Aston Villa are the sole British representatives in the Conference League.
We have you covered with our best bets for each of the British sides’ games on Thursday.
Tip 1 - Sparta Prague or draw double chance v Liverpool @ 10/11
Liverpool have been grinding out results in recent weeks, even if not playing at their best, and they will be keen to continue making inroads in their bid for an historic quadruple with a win in the Czech capital.
However, they have title rivals Manchester City visiting Anfield on Sunday and they are still without a spate of injured stars.
Jurgen Klopp may be forced into a number of changes due to both of those reasons and Sparta Prague could capitalise.
The hosts are unbeaten at home in the Europa League this term, beating Real Betis 1-0 and thrashing Galatasaray 4-1 in that four-match run, and they could frustrate a rotated Reds’ side on Thursday.
Tip 2 - Roma to beat Brighton @ 23/20
Perhaps the tie of the round sees European debutants Brighton taking on 2023 finalists Roma, but it may be a difficult trip to the Italian capital for the Seagulls.
Daniele De Rossi has enjoyed an excellent return to Rome so far, winning seven of his nine matches in charge, and his side could be too strong for an out-of-form Albion on Thursday.
Brighton’s only win in five away games came against Premier League basement boys Sheffield United and they have lost the other four in that run - being beaten 4-0 by Luton and 3-0 by Fulham along the way - suggesting they may struggle in the Italian capital.
Tip 3 - West Ham draw no bet v Freiburg @ Evs
West Ham are slowly turning into European specialists.
They made the Europa League semi-finals in 2022, won the 2023 Conference League and won five of their six group stage games in this competition this time around.
They have already beaten Freiburg twice this term - winning 2-1 in Germany and then 2-0 in London in the group stage - and coming off the back of consecutive Premier League wins, they could be too strong for their hosts again.
However, Freiburg held Bayern Munich to a 2-2 draw last Friday and won their other two group stage home games 5-0.
They are clearly a talented side, so use the draw no bet market to get your stake back should the pair cancel each other out on Thursday.
Tip 4 - Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in Benfica v Rangers @ 19/20
Benfica were thrashed 5-0 by rivals Porto on Sunday, while Rangers were shock 2-1 losers to Motherwell at Ibrox the day prior and both sides will be keen to bounce back immediately.
Those losses should provide motivation in both camps and an exciting affair could unfold as a result.
Benfica have netted 15 times in their last four home games while Rangers have bagged 14 goals in their last five matches.
Both teams scored in the hosts’ last three Champions League group stage games as well as the visitors’ last three Europa League group matches, suggesting each side will contribute to a high goals total in Lisbon.
Tip 5 - Douglas Luiz to score anytime @ 13/5
Aston Villa’s European journey continues in Amsterdam as they take on Ajax.
They have conceded eight goals in their last six home games, suggesting they could be exposed by the Villans, who have netted nine times in their last three matches, on Thursday.
Douglas Luiz has scored three goals in his last four matches and could net at a big price against a leaky defence on Thursday - with the fact he takes Villa’s penalties an added bonus.
