Europa League Predictions: Add Roma and Juventus to your Thursday accumulator

The pressure has been ramped up in the Europa League as clubs from nine different countries will look to progress to the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition on Thursday. 

Six-time winners Sevilla are still in the running alongside three-time winners Juventus, while Manchester United, Barcelona and Roma will all fancy their chances of making the next round. Football expert Joe Crann highlights four games that are worth a second look from a trading perspective.

Monaco v Bayer Leverkusen

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

The first leg between these two teams featured five goals and an admirable come-from-behind victory for Monaco, who snatched the spoils in the dying moments. The way that game panned out was quite in keeping with how things have gone for the Monegasque side in recent weeks.

All of their last nine games have produced over 1.5 goals, and they go into the reverse leg on the back of five straight wins – including a shocking victory over PSG.

Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five matches and haven’t kept a clean sheet in a month. Both teams to score is available at 1.64, but it’s complicated by the fact that Monaco only need a draw to go through. I still think they have too much quality for the visitors.

Prediction: Monaco to win and Over 1.5 goals @ 2.66

Nantes v Juventus

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

It’s been a pretty rough start to the year for Juventus, who were docked 15 points last month and are now chasing a European spot rather than the Serie A title. However, they have managed to put together some decent form of late.

Ludovic Blas’ strike in the first leg is the only goal they have conceded in five games this month, and, after the first leg ended 1-1, it is safe to assume that this encounter will be equally tight given the home team’s lack of goalscoring production. 

A straight Juventus win (1.88) could be acca worthy, but opting for the simpler qualification bet (1.49) may be safer. 

Prediction: Juventus to qualify @ 1.49 

Manchester United v Barcelona

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday 

The first leg between these two European heavyweights swung back and forth and resulted in a four-goal thriller.

Given the importance of defensive stability in European club competitions, this return match is likely to be less gung-ho. Especially given the Red Devils’ remarkable home form – they’ve won 15 of their 17 home matches since their Europa League defeat to Real Sociedad in September.

Backing Barcelona to qualify (2.34) wouldn’t be outlandish. But, rather than playing the full-time result market, Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer (2.48) seems like a strong shout given that he’s in the best form of any top-tier player right now. 

Prediction: Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer @ 2.48

Roma v FC Salzburg

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday 

Jose Mourinho won the Europa Conference League last year to end a surprisingly long trophy drought, and the Portuguese aficionado will be eager to add another medal to both his and Roma’s trophy cabinet this time around. 

They’re 1-0 down from the first leg, but should have enough firepower to turn things around and qualify - don’t forget, Salzburg were hammered 4-0 by AC Milan when they fell out of the Champions League in November. 

Roma don’t tend to score that many, so maybe Under 3.5 goals (1.28) in an accumulator could work as an alternative.

Prediction: Roma to win @ 1.76

Thursday’s Europa League Predictions

Monaco v Leverkusen: Monaco to win and Over 1.5 goals @ 2.66
Nantes v Juventus: Juventus to qualify @ 1.49
Man Utd v Barcelona: Marcus Rashford anytime goalscorer @ 2.48
Roma v Salzburg: Roma to win @ 1.76