Europa League tips: West Ham face tough trip to high-flying Sevilla

The Europa League returns in earnest on Wednesday, when the last 16 of the competition begins.

The exit of Borussia Dortmund in the previous round has left Barcelona as hot favourites to lift the trophy, with the Spaniards given a 28% chance of success in the competition. RB Leipzig and Sevilla are both given a 16% chance of winning and are Barca’s closest rivals.

British interest remains in the form of West Ham and Rangers, who sensationally beat Dortmund in the playoff round.

Porto vs Lyon

Wednesday 9 March, 5:45pm, BT Sport ESPN

The value in Wednesday’s market is on seasoned European campaigners Porto, who play host to a Lyon side that went undefeated in the group stage of the competition.

Nevertheless, the French side have been in rather indifferent form of late, and though they produced a thumping 4-0 win over Lorient at the weekend, can be little trusted defensively.

Porto might have lost their best player, Luis Diaz, to Liverpool in January, but only the Reds and Atletico Madrid have beaten them at home this season. 

Recommended Bet: Porto @ 2.08

Sevilla vs West Ham

Thursday 10 March, 5:45pm, BT Sport 3 

West Ham passed into the last 16 of the Europa League without any issues, but did have a straightforward group - Sevilla will represent a far tougher opponent.

The Spaniards have lost only once at home all season, winning 12 of their 17 matches. The home side also post far more experience in this type of European encounter than their guests and look good value at the available odds.

Recommended Bet: Sevilla @ 2.12

West Ham manager David Moyes has guided his side to the last 16 with the minimum of fuss but will be wary of Sevilla's threat

Rangers vs Crvena Zvezda

Thursday 10 March, 8pm, BT Sport 2 

If Rangers continue to struggle to find their best form domestically, they have exceeded expectations in Europe by going so far in the Europa League.

Thursday’s match against Crvena Zvezda could be more testing than the glamour tie against Dortmund. After all, their opponents have won their last seven games and only suffered a single defeat in six games to win Group H. Crvena Zvezda were also undefeated away from home, and are being underestimated by the market.

Recommended Bet: Crvena Zvezda Asian Handicap +0.5 @ 2.36   

Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen

Thursday 10 March, 8pm, BT Sport Extra 3

One of the highlights of Thursday’s card should be Atalanta’s home encounter with Bayer Leverkusen. It should be a game that provides fireworks as both teams are known for their exciting attacking football.

Bayer come into this game having seen a run of 12 successive Bundesliga games with Over 2.5 goals ended at the weekend by Bayern Munich in a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, seven of Atalanta’s eight European games this season have seen at least three goals. 

Recommended Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.68

Recommended bets

Porto @ 2.08

Sevilla @ 2.12

Crvena Zvezda +0.5 @ 2.36 

Over 2.5 goals in Atalanta-Bayer @ 1.68