Round of 16 action resumes this Thursday and for our second take, let’s dissect four of the upcoming fixtures by taking a closer look at what’s on offer.
Liverpool is the team to beat if current pricing is anything to go by. The Reds are firm favourites at 2/1, while the second favourite, Bayer Leverkusen, can be snapped up at 9/2. Milan at 8/1, represents decent value, leaving the remainder of the field at 15/1 or more. Once again, plenty of value can be found.
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TOULOUSE v BENFICA – Click here to bet
Toulouse managed to finish 2nd in Group E with 11 points securing 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. Last week’s result meant that Toulouse enters the second leg already on the back foot, having succumbed 2-1 in Portugal. They can count themselves unfortunate given it took a 98th-minute winner from Di Maria to secure a much-needed 1st leg lead for Benfica against Toulouse.
Benfica entered the Europa League through the backdoor after being demoted from the Champions League, finishing 3rd in Group D with 4 losses. Having secured a late dramatic win against Toulouse in the 1st leg, they know that all that is required to progress further in this competition is to avoid defeat against ‘Le Violets’ upon entering Stadium Municipal this Thursday.
Both teams enter the 2nd leg having won over the weekend, in their respective domestic leagues. Toulouse has not been particularly impressive at home, securing only two draws and three losses in their last five appearances, which gives Benfica optimism that they can get the job done once again. Toulouse will need to take risks, potentially leaving them vulnerable at the back.
Suggested Bet: Benfica to win at 10/11
ROMA v FEYENOORD – Click here to bet
Roma finished 2nd in Group G with 13 points securing 4 wins and 1 draw with only one defeat along the way. Last week’s result between these two finished 1-1, placing Roma in pole position going into the 2nd leg. The Giallorossi also boast quite an impressive home record having lost only once in their last fifteen appearances.
Feyenoord’s Champions League campaign was short-lived, finishing 3rd with just 6 points. Having suffered four defeats along the way, they left Group E with a goal deficit of minus one. Last week’s 1st leg result means they have it all to do if they are to progress further in Europe. Away from home, Feyenoord has improved from their previous inconsistencies, securing four wins and one loss in their last five road appearances giving them some much-needed optimism.
Both teams won their respective domestic league games this weekend, entering this tie on a winning note. Despite finishing all square between the pair in the 1st leg, Roma will go into this clash as favourites to progress further. The home side boasts a formidable record, and despite Feyenoord having improved on the road, logic suggests backing the Giallorossi to get the job done.
Suggested Bet: Roma to win at 23/20
MARSEILLE v SHAKHTAR DONETSK – Click here to bet
The French giants finished 2nd in Group B with 11 points winning 3, drawing 2 and losing just once. Marseille will be in the more favourable position going into the 2nd leg of this tie having secured a 2-2 draw away from home. It was an entertaining game where Marseille can count themselves unlucky not to have won after taking the lead in the 90th minute. A missed opportunity, perhaps, but they find themselves in the driving seat for the return leg.
Shakhtar Donetsk entered the Europa League after failing to progress in the Champions League, finishing 3rd in Group H with 9 points and 3 losses. Last week’s result between the pair was both intense and simultaneously chaotic, ultimately finishing 2-2 after an additional brace was scored in stoppage time. Shakhtar will take heart in the fact that despite all the dramatics and trailing on two separate occasions, they found a way to keep their Cup aspirations alive.
Marseille enters the 2nd leg having lost 1-0 away to Brest over the weekend, while Shakhtar Donetsk still finds themselves involved in a midwinter break, leaving them slightly undercooked. Despite showing patchy form of late, Marseille looks like the team to back here. Having led twice in the 1st leg, they will be optimistic about getting the job done in France. Their home form boasts an unbeaten run of 15 games now and will look to cement that even further.
Suggested Bet: Result and both teams to score, Olympique Marseille and Yes at 24/10
RENNES v AC MILAN – Click here to bet
Rennes finished 2nd in Group F with 12 points, only 1 point separating them from topping their respective table. It seemed like a solid campaign securing 4 wins and only 2 defeats. However, that notion was firmly dispelled last week after AC Milan defeated them convincingly. Last week’s 3-0 drubbing means they are unlikely to progress further in the tournament unless a miracle occurs.
AC Milan qualified for the Europa League after failing to progress further in the Champions League, finishing 3rd in Group F despite having the same points as runners-up PSG with 8 points. Last week’s performance from Milan showed the gulf in class between these two. Having secured a comfortable 3-0 win, all Milan require going into the 2nd leg is to effectively pitch up and not do anything reckless discipline-wise.
Rennes won 3-1 over the weekend and will be desperate to carry their domestic form into Europe. Make no mistake, they have made things extremely difficult for themselves going into the 2nd leg. Last week’s loss was the first time they tasted defeat since losing 3-2 at home to Villarreal back in December. Given the 1st leg deficit, they may as well have a full go at it. Milan enters this clash on the back of a 4-2 loss over the weekend, but despite that result, they will feel confident that they have sealed their place in the next round.
Suggested Bet: Both teams to score, Yes at 8/10
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
