The second legs of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 ties will take place this week. First up, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolfsberger meet in London on Wednesday evening, while Arsenal, Manchester United, Leicester City and Rangers feature on Thursday. Can all five British clubs reach the last 16 of this season’s Europa League? They are all certainly in good positions in their respective ties, but there is still work to do for some of them.
Tottenham Hotspur v Wolfsberger
17:00, BT Sport, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tottenham are in Europa League action on Wednesday, as Jose Mourinho’s men welcome Austrian side Wolfsberger to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Spurs have a commanding lead in the tie after a big win in Budapest last week but poor domestic form could give an opportunity for the visitors to at least apply some pressure.
Tottenham were excellent in the first leg of this Round of 32 tie, with goals from Heung-Min Son, Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura and Carlos Vinicius giving the Londoners an easy 4-1 win. The north London outfit have been struggling in the Premier League of late, but realistically they should ease to victory in this one. Back Spurs to win with a -2 goal handicap at odds of 7/4.
Ajax v Lille
17:55, BT Sport, Johan Cruyff Arena
Ajax and Lille are involved in one of the standout ties of the Round of 32. On Thursday, the pair lock horns at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Ajax hold a narrow advantage in the tie as things stand but they have a very good side and we can see them sneaking through to the last 16 of the competition.
As expected, it was a close game in Lille last week, with two late goals giving the Dutch side a narrow 2-1 win. While the French side might threaten to turn things around, we think the home side possess enough assurance to see the tie out with another narrow victory. Have a punt on Ajax to win by one goal again at odds of 11/4.
Arsenal v Benfica
17:55, BT Sports, Karaiskakis Stadium
Arsenal and Benfica played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome last week. This Thursday, the second leg will take place at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece. Can Mikel Arteta’s men get the job done and book their place in the last 16 and show their credentials for maybe even going all the way in the tournament?
After going a goal down 10 minutes into the second half, Arsenal hit back instantly in Rome, with Bukayo Saka levelling for the Gunners. It was a pretty even contest in Italy and we could be in for more of the same this week. However, we fancy Arsenal to seal a narrow victory in Greece. The 2-1 Gunners win is priced at decent odds of 15/2, which looks just about worth a punt.
Napoli v Granada
17:55, BT Sport, Stadio San Paolo
Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli have plenty of work to do in their Round of 32 tie after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg. This Thursday, the Serie A side welcome Diego Martinez’s Granada to the Stadio San Paolo in Naples.
Two quickfire goals in the first half gave the Spanish outfit a somewhat surprise 2-0 victory at Nuevo Los Carmenes last week. Napoli huffed and puffed but could not find a way through the home team’s dogged defence. Gli Azzurri are the odds-on favourites to win on the night, but we can see Granada holding firm in Naples. There is good value in the draw at odds of 3/1 and that’s the bet for us in this one.
Rangers v Antwerp
17:55, BT Sport, Ibrox
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers edged a seven-goal thriller in their first leg tie with Antwerp last week. The Gers, who are having an unforgettable season, will be hoping to get the job done and dusted at Ibrox on Thursday.
Gerrard’s men have been playing some very effective football all season, and as a result they are miles clear at the top of the Premiership table and look a good bet to reach the last 16 of the Europa League. A draw would be enough for the Glasgow giants, but we fancy Rangers to secure a comfortable win on their own patch. Put some money on the hosts to be winning at half time and full time at a decent price of 21/20.
Leicester City v Slavia Prague
20:00, BT Sport, King Power Stadium
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester go head-to-head with Jindrich Trpisovsky’s Slavia Prague at the King Power Stadium on Thursday night. This Round of 32 tie is delicately poised after the duo played out a goalless draw in the Czech capital last week.
The Foxes, who are currently third in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Manchester City, have lost just one of their last 16 matches in all competitions. Leicester are going great guns under Rodgers, and they should have enough in the locker to see off Slavia on home turf this Thursday. Eight of their 10 league and cup home wins this season have come with clean sheets and we’re willing to take a punt on City to win to nil on Thursday at odds of 13/8.
Manchester United v Real Sociedad
20:00, BT Sport, Old Trafford
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United are already gearing up for the last 16 after they walloped Real Sociedad 4-0 last week. The bookies are offering odds of just 1/750 for the Red Devils to qualify. United will want to see the job through in style at Old Trafford and we can see them posting another convincing victory.
The Premier League outfit were far too strong for the Spanish side at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, with Bruno Fernandes (2), Marcus Rashford and Daniel James netting in a comprehensive 4-0 win. United could dominate Sociedad once again this Thursday, so take a punt on the hosts to win both halves at a very good price of 9/2.