Europa League Preview Last 16 2nd Legs

Europa League

Football
Published: 25/03/2014

BENFICA V TOTTENHAM, Thursday 20th March, 18:00, ITV 4

Tim Sherwood has been an entertaining appointment for the neutral although a somewhat unfortunate choice if you are a fan of Spurs. The title race is over and fourth place looks a distant dream as does the Europa League with Tottenham 3-1 down from the first leg with Benfica. Bookmakers make the Portuguese side 4/6 (GENERAL) favourites for the game against they have not lost a home game all season in any competition and won three of their four in front of their own fans in Europé including a victory over PSG. A better bet is Rodrigo in the anytime markets as the forward has netted three times in the last three Benfica games including a goal in the first leg.

RECOMMENDATION: Rodrigo to score anytime, 7/4 (TOTESPORT/betfred)

FIORENTINA V JUVENTUS, Thursday 20th March,18:00, BT SPORT 1

The two Italian sides must be sick of the sight of each other with this game proving the third meeting between the pair in the last 11 days and for the fourth time this season. Honours are even so far with Fiorentina winning one, Juventus one and the third game finishing tied. The draw came in the Europa League first meeting and it is 5/2 (bet365/BETVICTOR/betfair SPORTSBOOK) that this game ends even. I think Juventus though look a better bet for victory as the Europa League final will take place in Turin this year and the Old Lady will be desperate to appear in it following their Champions League elimination. Juve have just one defeat from their last eight away from home, while the Viola have won just one of their last four home games in all competitions.

RECOMMENDATION: Juventus to beat Fiorentina, 11/10 (GENERAL)

VALENCIA V LUDOGORETZ, Thursday 20th March, 18:00, ESPN

The Spanish side are more or less in the last eight having won the opener 3-0 in Bulgaria with ten men. It is hard to see past Valencia here though odds of 2/5 (GENERAL) on a side so far ahead do not appeal to me in the second leg. The visitors did win in Italy against Lazio and with the Spaniards tempted to rotate I will take Ludogoretz on the Asian Handicap with a 1.25 start. This will pay out full if the Bulgarians win or draw and as a half win if they lose by one.

RECOMMENDATION: Ludogoretz +1.25 on Asian Handicap, evens (WINNER)

NAPOLI V PORTO, Thursday 20th March, 20:05, ITV4

The pick of the games in the Europa League is this tie between two sides who went close to qualifying for the Champions League last 16 and instead are battling it out in the Europa League. Porto are 1-0 up from the first leg and are 8/13 (BETVICTOR/paddy Power) to qualify while the Italians are 13/8 (ladbrokes). In terms of the second leg it is Napoli who look the bet having won nine of their last 11 home matches. Arsenal, Dortmund, Marseille and Swansea have all lost at Napoli in Europe this season and Porto have won just two of their last 11 games away from home.

RECOMMENDATION: Napoli, 20/21 (boylesports/paddy Power/ladbrokes)

SALZBURG V BASEL, Thursday 20th March, 20:05, ESPN

Two of the hipsters favourites do battle in Austria and after a first leg 0-0 draw it is Salzburg who are expected to come out on top here at 9/20 (bet365/BETVICTOR). This looks much too short for me as the Swiss side are no mugs having already won at Chelsea and I will take a chance on them in the draw/double chance market.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw/Basel double chance v Salzburg, 2/1 (sportingbet)

REAL BETIS V SEVILLA, Thursday 20th March, 20:05, BT SPORT 1

The all Spanish clash will resume with Betis 2-0 up from their first leg after winning in Sevilla. The visitors though will no have given up hope as Betis have won just three of their last 13 home games in front of their own fans. Sevilla can be backed at 5/4 (GENERAL) while Betis are a 5/2 (bet365) chance and the draw is available at 13/5 with SKYBET. The best bet is to take Kevin Gamiero to score at anytime after a run of six goals from his last seven games and two in his last three Europa League ties for Sevilla.

RECOMMENDATION: Kevin Gamiero to net at anytime, 7/4 (GENERAL)

Go To bet365
#Ad


Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (25/03/2014) but are subject to change.

25/03/2014     © Frixo 2024

Comment on this preview
Your Name:
Your Email:
What is  + 7
Commment: