The Europa League quarterfinals are set to take centre stage on Thursday night as we head into an enticing round of second leg fixtures.
With a place in the semifinals at stake, we can expect electrifying performances across the continent as we look toward the May 20 final in Istanbul.
From the four matches lined up, we have a look at each of them and weigh the possible outcomes with our predicted outcome.
Celta Vigo vs Freiburg – Thursday, 7:45PM
For the Spanish outfit to qualify for the semis, they will need to pull off one of the greatest Europa League comebacks to make that possible. Celta Vigo come into the game with a three-goal deficit after a 3-0 loss last Thursday.
Celta Vigo followed up that defeat with a similar 3-0 defeat to Oviedo over the weekend, while Freiburg were 1-0 winners away at Mainz in the Bundesliga.
ALSO READ: Bayern vs Real Madrid prediction: Champions League preview, team news, key stats & h2h
Freiburg are confident of a place in the semis after that impressive home win. Last week’s match was the first ever competitive meeting between these two teams.
The Germans have failed to score in seven of their last eight away games in Europe. This may work in favor of Celta who may feel they have a chance to turn things around.
Prediction – Celta Vigo to win – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!
Aston Villa vs Bologna – Thursday, 10PM
The English Premier League outfit will believe they have one foot in the semis after a convincing 3-1 first leg win. With the tie going back to Villa Park, the advantage is definitely with the home team.
Villa have won 10 of their 11 matches in the Europa League this season and the odds favor them to qualify. An Ollie Watkins double after Ezri Konsa headed them into a first half lead, was enough for Unai Emery’s charges.
They however failed to win at the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Nottingham.
Bologna on the other hand bounced back from last week’s defeat to beat Lecce 2-0 in the Serie A on Sunday. Remo Freuler and Ricardo Orsolini were both on target and will start here against Villa.
Villa have won all previous three games they have played against Bologna, and are tipped as favorites to win again here.
Prediction – Aston Villa to win – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!
Betis vs Braga – Thursday, 10PM
There was nothing to separate these two sides in the first leg, both settling for a 1-1 draw.
Betis, last season’s beaten UEFA Conference League finalists, are without a win in their last four games and are desperate to turn things around. A 1-1 draw against Osasuna at the weekend was the fourth consecutive stalemate.
Meanwhile, Braga are unbeaten in their last three games – winning 1-0 against Arouca over the weekend.
There have been three games between these two clubs in their history and there has never been a winner. However, that cannot be the case tonight, with a place in the semis at stake.
With home advantage, Betis are slight favorites to pick a positive result here.
Prediction – Betis to win or draw – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!
Nottingham vs Porto – Thursday, 10PM
There is still everything to play for at the City Ground after a thrilling 1-1 stalemate in last week’s first leg. William Gomes put Porto ahead in the 11th minute before a Martim Fernandes own goal brought the visitors level.
Nottingham played out to a consecutive 1-1 draw at the weekend against Aston Villa, while Porto bounced back in fine fashion with a 3-1 victory away at Estoril.
Nottingham were 2-0 winners against Porto in the league phase of the tournament in the only other match between these teams. Both sides are unbeaten in their last five outings in all competitions.
Prediction – Both teams to score – CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME!