Thursday’s Europa League Tips: United can record comfortable home win

The Europa League quarter-finals begin on Thursday and football expert Greg Lea has found a recommended bet in each of the first legs taking place across the continent.

Feyenoord v Roma

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Roma sit on the third line of betting in the outright market to win this year’s Europa League, but facing Feyenoord at the quarter-final stage will prove to be very tricky for Jose Mourinho’s men. 

Feyenoord are enjoying an exceptional season at home and abroad. As well as making the last eight in this competition, Arne Slot’s side is on track to win their first Eredivisie title since 2017 after opening up an eight-point lead at the summit of the standings. They have been particularly impressive at home, as proven by losing only one of their 21 games at De Kuip up to now.

Jose Mourinho: Roma manager will hope his team stays solid at the back on Thursday

Roma have been inconsistent in recent weeks, and have lost three of their last five contests in all competitions. Mourinho’s side may lose out here, but they will fancy their chances back in Italy next week. 

Prediction: Feyenoord to win @ 2.34 

Bayer Leverkusen v Union Saint-Gilloise 

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday 

Many Europa League first legs are cagey affairs, but there is reason to believe this clash at the BayArena will buck that trend.

Bayer Leverkusen are scoring goals for fun under Xabi Alonso, who has done an excellent job since taking charge in October. His team has scored in each of their last 12 matches in all competitions, while their last five Bundesliga games have yielded 15 goals.

Over the same period in Belgium’s top flight, Union Saint-Gilloise have also found the back of the net 15 times. They scored six times against Union Berlin’s notoriously mean backline in the round of 16, so this promises to be an entertaining encounter from the get-go.

Prediction: Over 1.5 goals in the first half @ 2.5

Juventus v Sporting CP 

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

Things could be considerably slower going at the Allianz Stadium on Thursday. Juventus have performed remarkably well in 2023 - only Napoli has amassed more points in Serie A since the turn of the year - but Max Allegri is unlikely to budge on his cautious tactics in a knockout tie like this.

As such, we can expect Juve’s priority against Sporting CP to be a clean sheet. The Portuguese side will also be preoccupied with keeping things tight at the back, especially after shipping three goals to minnows Casa Pia at the weekend.

This game is likely to be a slow-burner and there probably won’t be an abundance of goalmouth action in the opening 45 minutes. 

Prediction: Draw at half-time @ 1.99

Manchester United v Sevilla

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday 

Manchester United are favourites to win this tournament - SBK are currently offering 2.68 for the Red Devils to lift the trophy. Erik ten Hag’s squad will fancy their chances of establishing an aggregate advantage in this first leg, not least because they have won seven of their last eight matches at Old Trafford.

Sevilla possess considerable Europa League pedigree having won the competition a record six times, but it is hard to get away from how poorly they have played in LaLiga this term.

Jose Luis Mendilibar has guided them away from the relegation zone in his first few weeks in charge, but this could be a tough night for a team that has failed to score in three of its five away games in this tournament.

Prediction: Manchester United to win to nil @ 2.1

Thursday’s Europa League Tips

Feyenoord v Roma: Feyenoord to win @ 2.34
Bayer Leverkusen v Union Saint-Gilloise: Over 1.5 goals in the first half @ 2.5
Juventus v Sporting CP: Draw at half-time @ 1.99
Manchester United v Sevilla: Manchester United to win to nil @ 2.1