The Round of 16 gets underway in the UEFA Europa League today with in-form Roma hosting Brighton & Hove, Liverpool visits Sparta Praha while other tournament favorites, Leverkusen travel to Qarabag FK. Here’s a lowdown of all the first leg action coming your way.
AS Roma vs Brighton
AS Roma and Brighton & Hove Albion meet for the first ever in a European encounter at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. The hosts are in scary form off late, with the appointment of Danielle De Rossi as manager seeing them going unbeaten in nine game. Roma demolished AC Monza 4-1 over the weekend and have risen to 5th on the Serie A table. The Italians have scored 11 goals in their recent four outings. De Rossi is sure to put his trust on in-form Paulo Dybala who has returned seven goals in all competitions thus far.
Brighton might have started the season in ominous form but the tide has seemingly turned against them. The Seagulls were in disarray during their 3-0 loss to Fulham on the weekend, a result that stretched their winless run to five games in all competitions. The team’s poor away record is a cause for concern, as they have lost four of their previous five games in all competitions away from the South Coast.
Although Roma have undergone a resurrection off late, they are still vulnerable at the back and have in eight of their past nine outings in all competitions. The Seagulls will be without top scorer Joao Pedro but will definitely ask some questions off Roma’s defense. This may go either way but both teams will find the back of the net.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen
Qarabag have a date with the unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Europa League. The runaway Azerbaijan Premier League champions outmuscled SC Braga 7-4 on aggregate to set up a clash against Leverkusen’s juggernaut. Qarabag earned a respectable 10 points in the group stages, finishing second Leverkusen who defeated twice with a 6-1 aggregate.
Leverkusen won the reverse tie 1-0 in Azerbaijan and are yet to taste defeat across all formats this season. Leading the Bundesliga by 10 points and with just 10 league matches remaining, it seems like the Germans are in for a historic invincible season. Leverkusen collected 18 points from six matches in the group stages.
Leverkusen will be without the injured Victor Boniface who has scored four goals in the Europa League this season while the hosts have a clean bill of health. The away side have won their previous six Europa League games and that trend will continue here. Qarabag will be happy to score a goal here but they are no match for the Germans.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen Win
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool
Injury-hit Liverpool travel to the Czech Republic looking to claim advantage over Sparta Prague in the first leg of the Europa League last 16.
The Czech outfit defeated Galatasaray 6-4 on aggregate in the round of 32 to set up a tie against perennial heavyweight Liverpool. Despite recording a goalless stalemate against city rivals Slavia Prague in their last game, Sparta are unbeaten in 15 home encounters since their Champions League qualifying exit to Copenhagen in August.
Liverpool have fared impressively well despite having numerous first-team absentees out with injuries. The Reds have failed to win any of their last 11 Europa League knockout away from home, with their last away victory in this stage coming against Romanian outfit Unirea Urziceni. Liverpool are in a six match winning run in all competitions.
Liverpool were held to a goalless in their last visit to Sparta in the 2010/11 season when the two sides met in the last 32. Sparta will look to forward Jan Kuchta who has scored in his last three appearances in the Europa League. Liverpool have a massive league showdown against Manchester City and may priorirtise resting key players in this tie. Even so, the Reds will score a goal here but the home side will make it tough.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
AC Milan vs Slavia Prague
AC Milan look to continue their Europa League knockout adventure when they take on Slavia Prague in the first leg of the last 16. Milan enjoyed a 5-2 aggregate win over Rennes in the round of 32 to qualify for the last 16.
Slavia Prague annihilated their opponents in the group stages en route to the last 16. The Czech outfit won five in six, scoring a huge 17 goals in the process. They kept four clean sheets during that run and look in formidable mood ahead of visiting the San Siro.
Milan secured a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Lazio ahead of this tie while Slavia played to a goalless draw against foes Sparta Prague in the League.
Prediction; AC Milan Win
Benfica vs Rangers
Weighing on the double-header against Benfica, Rangers manager Phillippe Clement called believes this is the first of his tenure that his side will be viewed as underdogs. The two sides met in the Europa League group stages in the 2020/21 season and both sets of matches ended in thrilling draws; 3-3 and 2-2.
Benfica come into this fixture on the back of an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals FC Porto. The Portuguese have kept just two clean sheets in their previous six matches.
Rangers have improved significantly since Clement took over the reigns from Michaele Beale, going on to usurp Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The Gers earned top spot in the group stages after collecting 11 points. They kept just two clean sheets in six matches and scored eight goals in the process.
Prediction: Benfica/Draw
Marseille vs Villareal
Marseille and Villareal have had challenging domestic campaigns but seem to have turned the tide after appointing their third coaches this season. Marseille’s new head coach Jean-Louis Gasset has won three straight matches at the helm since replacing Gennaro Gattuso. The French giants have risen to seventh on the log, scoring 12 goals during that time.
Villareal have improved since Marcelihno’s appointment and has extensive knowledge regarding the French outfit. The coach left citing personal reasons after only seven matches, losing just once. The Yellow Sub-marine are undefeated in their last six games across all competitions and scored in five of those fixtures. They have kept only one clean sheet on their rise to 12th place.
Prediction: Marseille/Draw
SC Freiburg vs West Ham
West Ham United begin their Europa League knockout stage adventure with a trip to Germany to meet Freiburg. The two teams met twice in the group stages, with West Ham winning by an aggregate of 4-1.
Although they managed to upset French outfit SC Lens en route to the last 16, the hosts have had an underwhelming start to 2024. Freiburg are placed in 9th position in the Bundesliga and have recorded just single win thus far in 2024. The Germans earned a respectable 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich over the weekend despite their extended defensive issues which have seen them in nine consecutive matches in all competitions.
The Hammers have also had a slow start to the New Year but a recent 3-1 league win over Everton might suggest they are definitely turning a corner. The reigning Europa Conference League champions have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous nine matches and conceded when they met the Germans in away fixture during the round-robin phase.
The Hammers have earned two back-to-back wins for the first time this year while the home side are yet to win in their last six matches across all formats. The first encounter in October 2023 ended with both sides finding the net and I believe that will be the outcome at Europa-Park Stadion.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
AS Roma vs Brighton
AS Roma and Brighton & Hove Albion meet for their first ever European encounter at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. The hosts are in scary form off late, with the appointment of Danielle De Rossi as manager seeing them going unbeaten in nine game. Roma demolished AC Monza 4-1 over the weekend and have risen to 5th on the Seria table. The Italians have scored 11 goals in their recent four outings. De Rossi is sure to put his trust on in-form Paulo Dybala who has returned seven goals in all competitions thus far.
Brighton might have started the season in ominous form but the tide has seemingly turned against them. The Seagulls were in disarray during their 3-0 loss to Fulham on the weekend, a result that stretched their winless run to five games in all competitions. The team’s poor away record is a cause for concern, as they have lost four of their previous five games in all competitions away from the South Coast.
Although Roma have undergone a resurrection off late, they are still vulnerable at the back and have in eight of their past nine outings in all competitions. The Seagulls will be without top scorer Joao Pedro but will definitely ask some questions off Roma’s defense. This may go either way but both teams will find the back of the net.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen
Qarabag have a date with the unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Europa League. The runaway Azerbaijan Premier League champions outmuscled SC Braga 7-4 on aggregate to set up a clash against Leverkusen’s juggernaut. Qarabag earned a respectable 10 points in the group stages, finishing second Leverkusen who defeated twice with a 6-1 aggregate.
Leverkusen won the reverse tie 1-0 in Azerbaijan and are yet to taste defeat across all formats this season. Leading the Bundesliga by 10 points and with just 10 league matches remaining, it seems like the Germans are in for a historic invincible season. Leverkusen collected 18 points from six matches in the group stages.
Leverkusen will be without the injured Victor Boniface who has scored four goals in the Europa League this season while the hosts have a clean bill of health. The away side have won their previous six Europa League games and that trend will continue here. Qarabag will be happy to score a goal here but they are no match for the Germans.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen Win
Sparta Prague vs Liverpool
Injury-hit Liverpool travel to the Czech Republic looking to claim advantage over Sparta Prague in the first leg of the Europa League last 16.
The Czech outfit defeated Galatasaray 6-4 on aggregate in the round of 32 to set up a tie against perennial heavyweight Liverpool. Despite recording a goalless stalemate against city rivals Slavia Prague in their last game, Sparta are unbeaten in 15 home encounters since their Champions League qualifying exit to Copenhagen in August.
Liverpool have fared impressively well despite having numerous first-team absentees out with injuries. The Reds have failed to win any of their last 11 Europa League knockout away from home, with their last away victory in this stage coming against Romanian outfit Unirea Urziceni. Liverpool are in a six match winning run in all competitions.
Liverpool were held to a goalless in their last visit to Sparta in the 2010/11 season when the two sides met in the last 32. Sparta will look to forward Jan Kuchta who has scored in his last three appearances in the Europa League. Liverpool have a massive league showdown against Manchester City and may priorirtise resting key players in this tie. Even so, the Reds will score a goal here but the home side will make it tough.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
AC Milan vs Slavia Prague
AC Milan look to continue their Europa League knockout adventure when they take on Slavia Prague in the first leg of the last 16. Milan enjoyed a 5-2 aggregate win over Rennes in the round of 32 to qualify for the last 16.
Slavia Prague annihilated their opponents in the group stages en route to the last 16. The Czech outfit won five in six, scoring a huge 17 goals in the process. They kept four clean sheets during that run and look in formidable mood ahead of visiting the San Siro.
Milan secured a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Lazio ahead of this tie while Slavia played to a goalless draw against foes Sparta Prague in the League.
Prediction; AC Milan Win
Benfica vs Rangers
Weighing on the double-header against Benfica, Rangers manager Phillippe Clement called believes this is the first of his tenure that his side will be viewed as underdogs. The two sides met in the Europa League group stages in the 2020/21 season and both sets of matches ended in thrilling draws; 3-3 and 2-2.
Benfica come into this fixture on the back of an embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals FC Porto. The Portuguese have kept just two clean sheets in their previous six matches.
Rangers have improved significantly since Clement took over the reigns from Michaele Beale, going on to usurp Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The Gers earned top spot in the group stages after collecting 11 points. They kept just two clean sheets in six matches and scored eight goals in the process.
Prediction: Benfica/Draw
Marseille vs Villareal
Marseille and Villareal have had challenging domestic campaigns but seem to have turned the tide after appointing their third coaches this season. Marseille’s new head coach Jean-Louis Gasset has won three straight matches at the helm since replacing Gennaro Gattuso. The French giants have risen to seventh on the log, scoring 12 goals during that time.
Villareal have improved since Marcelihno’s appointment and has extensive knowledge regarding the French outfit. The coach left citing personal reasons after only seven matches, losing just once. The Yellow Sub-marine are undefeated in their last six games across all competitions and scored in five of those fixtures. They have kept only one clean sheet on their rise to 12th place.
Prediction: Marseille/Draw
SC Freiburg vs West Ham
West Ham United begin their Europa League knockout stage adventure with a trip to Germany to meet Freiburg. The two teams met twice in the group stages, with West Ham winning by an aggregate of 4-1.
Although they managed to upset French outfit SC Lens en route to the last 16, the hosts have had an underwhelming start to 2024. Freiburg are placed in 9th position in the Bundesliga and have recorded just single win thus far in 2024. The Germans earned a respectable 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich over the weekend despite their extended defensive issues which have seen them in nine consecutive matches in all competitions.
The Hammers have also had a slow start to the New Year but a recent 3-1 league win over Everton might suggest they are definitely turning a corner. The reigning Europa Conference League champions have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous nine matches and conceded when they met the Germans in away fixture during the round-robin phase.
The Hammers have earned two back-to-back wins for the first time this year while the home side are yet to win in their last six matches across all formats. The first encounter in October 2023 ended with both sides finding the net and I believe that will be the outcome at Europa-Park Stadion.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score
