Thursday’s Europa League Tips: Arsenal can seal the deal in the second half

The Europa League returns on Thursday with eight places in the quarter-finals up for grabs. Football expert Greg Lea envisages how five of the second legs will be played out. 

Fenerbahce v Sevilla 

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Sevilla might be in a relegation battle in LaLiga, but they are still in with a chance of winning the Europa League for a record-extending seventh time. A 2-0 lead from the first leg of this last-16 tie means the Spanish side are in a strong position to advance to the next round. 

However, avoiding defeat against Fenerbahce at their home ground will be tough. The Turkish outfit have won four of their last five European games at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, as well as 78% of their domestic matches in front of their own fans this term. 

Prediction: Fenerbahce to win @ 2.38 

Real Betis v Manchester United 

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Manchester United have a three-goal advantage to take to Seville this week following a 4-1 thrashing of Real Betis last time out. They will not find the away leg quite so easy, but there is reason to believe this will be another entertaining encounter involving these two teams. 

Erik ten Hag: manager of Manchester United

For one, Betis will need to take risks in a bid to pull off what would be an astonishing turnaround. Secondly, three-quarters of United’s matches in 2023 have featured at least three goals.

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.9 

Arsenal v Sporting CP

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday 

Arsenal blew away Fulham in the first half of their Premier League meeting on Sunday and cruised into a 3-0 lead before the interval. Mikel Arteta’s men have by far the best first-half away record in the division. 

They have been somewhat slower out of the blocks at home, however, and that could be the case on Thursday - especially if Arteta expectedly shuffles his pack. Sporting CP could frustrate Arsenal early on, but the hosts should ultimately prove too strong. 

Prediction: Draw/Arsenal half-time/full-time result @ 4 

Ferencvaros vs Bayer Leverkusen 

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

Bayer Leverkusen ran out 2-0 winners in the first leg in Germany, which leaves them on the brink of a place in the quarter-finals. Xabi Alonso has done a superb job since taking charge at the BayArena in early October: had the Bundesliga season started at that point, Leverkusen would be fourth right now. 

Ferencvaros have won only one of their last five home matches in the Hungarian league, and this could be another disappointing evening for Stanislav Cherchesov’s men.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen to win @ 2.02 

Real Sociedad vs Roma 

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

It is advantage Roma at the midway point of this tie, after goals from Stephan El Shaarawy and Marash Kumbulla earned them a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad, who will no doubt feel they did not give a true account of themselves at the Stadio Olimpico last week. 

That was particularly disappointing as Real Sociedad have actually been better away from home than at Anoeta in LaLiga this season. Roma should get through, but Sociedad will be disappointed if they don’t at least find the net.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 2.08 

Thursday’s Europa League Tips

Fenerbahce v Sevilla: Fenerbahce to win @ 2.38
Real Betis v Manchester United: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.9
Arsenal v Sporting CP: Draw/Arsenal half-time/full-time result @ 4
Ferencvaros v Bayer Leverkusen: Bayer Leverkusen to win @ 2.02
Real Sociedad v Roma: Both teams to score @ 2.08