With numerous encounters delicately poised going into this round, we look at the 4 Europa League quarter-final second-leg fixtures where we’ll suggest a bet for each game.
The outright market dynamics have shifted significantly, with Liverpool’s odds cooling down from 10/11 favourites to 11/1 following last week’s result against Atalanta. Bayer Leverkusen now leads at 12/10, followed by Atalanta at 9/2, while AS Roma has gained support at 13/2, leaving the field at 10/1 or better.
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AS ROMA v AC MILAN– Click here to bet
AS Roma host familiar rivals AC Milan in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals this Thursday at the Stadio Olimpico. This follows a tense first leg at San Siro that ended with Roma clinching a narrow but unexpected 1-0 victory. The hosts now hold a vital lead, understanding that all that is required is to avoid a loss at home to progress to the semi-finals of the competition. Under the guidance of Daniele De Rossi, Roma have been a revelation and will enter this massive encounter unbeaten in eleven of their last twelve appearances.
AC Milan faces a daunting task ahead as they aim to overturn the 1-0 deficit in Rome this Thursday. Last week’s result marked the end of AC Milan’s run of seven consecutive victories, emphasizing the importance of securing a win at the Stadio Olimpico to keep their European aspirations alive this season. However, history is very much on their side, as last week’s outcome was the first time Roma managed to beat AC Milan since 2019. Undoubtedly, they will draw inspiration from this fact, understanding that this tie is far from over.
Given the nature of last week’s clash, we are likely to witness another tense encounter this Thursday, with Roma holding the advantage and expected to adopt a defensive strategy. Backing them to frustrate their opponents and avoid defeat with minimal goals may indeed be the way to go.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Total, AS Roma/Draw and Under 3.5 at 21/20
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ATALANTA v LIVERPOOL– Click here to bet
Atalanta pulled off a spectacular 3-0 upset at Anfield last Thursday, extending their undefeated run in the competition. The Black and Blues know that they are potentially just 90 minutes away from knocking out the English giants, Liverpool, and securing their own path to the semi-finals. However, despite their commanding lead, some may be reminded of Atalanta’s fate in the 2020 Champions League campaign when Liverpool managed a 5-0 routing on this very ground, suggesting that we can never write the Reds off.
Liverpool face an uphill battle as they seek to overturn a 3-0 deficit in the second leg. Last week’s result came as a bit of a shock to many, given Atalanta’s poor form on the domestic front leading up to the encounter. Jürgen Klopp and his charges have now suffered back-to-back defeats after their surprising 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace over the weekend and will have to be at their very best if they are to replicate a similar score line they produced at Gewiss Stadium a few years back. The Reds will have no alternative but to adopt an aggressive approach to the game but will also need to be wary of their defensive frailties, knowing they have conceded at least one goal in their last nine appearances on the bounce.
You get the sense that there could be a few more twists and turns in this encounter. The Reds will have no choice but to force Atalanta on the back foot, which could leave their already fragile backline heavily exposed for the hosts to counterattack. Expect goals, plenty of drama, and perhaps a bridge too far for the visitors to overturn.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to score, Over 2.5 and yes at 13/20
WEST HAM v BAYER LEVERKUSEN– Click here to bet
Having held on for as long as possible, West Ham eventually succumbed to mounting pressure from Bayer Leverkusen, resulting in a 2-0 defeat in Germany in the 1st leg. The Hammers have been found wanting without the services of key players like Jarrod Bowen, and given that he did not feature over the weekend in the EPL, there will be question marks as to whether he will feature here. A massive task awaits the Hammers, knowing that they’ve struggled to assert their dominance in recent times at London Stadium, having last tasted success at home back in March against Leipzig.
There is an air of optimism surrounding Bayer Leverkusen at the moment as they stand on the cusp of making history. After securing a 5-0 victory at home against Werder Bremen, the newly crowned Bundesliga champions are now just one game away from overtaking Juventus’ European record for the longest streak of 43 games, and it just so happens to be this Thursday at London Stadium. Holding a commanding 2-0 lead from the first leg, Xabi Alonso’s Black and Reds will have two objectives: to avoid defeat, allowing them to progress to the semi-finals, and to stamp their authority in the history books in the process.
David Moyes has his work cut out for him if he is to get his side over the line here. The Hammers will have to get their tactics spot on, knowing that they have no choice but to chase the game at some stage, which could play directly into the visitors’ hands. Both teams finding the net appeals, as well as Leverkusen extending their unbeaten run.
Suggested Bet: Double chance and both teams to score, Draw/Leverkusen and yes at 21/20
OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE v BENFICA– Click here to bet
Having trailed 2-0 to Benfica before the hour mark in the 1st leg, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s 67th-minute goal has offered Olympique Marseille a lifeline going into the 2nd leg. There are concerns, given that last week’s 2-1 defeat marked their fifth consecutive loss. Marseille appear to be in free fall, and the timing could not be any worse. Currently 9th in the domestic league, their season will heavily rely on the success of this competition. Having not featured this weekend, they would have had time to assess, giving themselves the best possible chance of overturning the 1-goal deficit at home this Thursday.
Benfica will step into Stade Vélodrome on Thursday, fully aware that a draw would suffice for them to progress into the semi-finals of this season’s Europa League competition. The Portuguese team began the first leg strongly, establishing a 2-0 lead by the 52nd minute. However, despite their early dominance and missing a crucial opportunity to further extend their lead, Marseille capitalized on this by bringing the encounter back to a knife edge with a vital away goal, resulting in a 2-1 victory for the hosts on the night. Benfica is well aware that there is still plenty of work to be done in France, recognizing the delicate balance of this tie at the moment. However, holding a slender lead will have its advantages, as they aim to capitalize on Marseille’s current poor run of form.
Both teams have shown inconsistencies this season, often conceding goals and participating in high-scoring matches. With the hosts likely to push forward, the visitors will have opportunities on the counterattack. Given this trend, focusing on goals rather than predicting a clear winner might be the wisest approach.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score, Over 2.5 and yes at 19/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
