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…
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