Thursday’s Europa League Tips: Arsenal might get stuck in a cagey battle

The Europa League Round of 16 begins on Thursday, and Arsenal and Manchester United are among the teams in action. Greg Lea previews five of the matches set to take place.

Roma v Real Sociedad

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday 

Jose Mourinho led Roma to Europa Conference League glory last term, and he is now looking to repeat the trick in the Europa League. Roma warmed up for this first leg with an important 1-0 victory over Juventus on Sunday and they are very much in the mix for a top-four Serie A finish.

Ditto Real Sociedad in LaLiga, although they have not been in the best of form in recent weeks. Indeed, la Real will head to Rome after failing to win six of their last seven matches. With home advantage to call upon, Mourinho’s men deserve to be favourites.

Prediction: Roma to win @ 2.22 

Sporting CP v Arsenal 

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday 

Arsenal put their fans through the full gamut of emotions on Saturday as they came from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth in dramatic circumstances. There are few better feelings in football than completing a comeback with a last-gasp winner, but Mikel Arteta will be aiming for a less chaotic encounter on Thursday.

With a second leg still to come, this could be a relatively cagey affair. Sporting will be wary of Arsenal’s attacking quality, while the Gunners would probably be happy with a draw in Lisbon. Goals could be few and far between.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.02 

Union Berlin v Union Saint-Gilloise

Kick-off: 5.45pm Thursday

Union Berlin are enjoying a magnificent campaign. Currently third in the Bundesliga, they advanced to the last 16 of the Europa League by beating Ajax 3-1 in the knockout round play-offs.

They now stand an excellent chance of making it through to the quarter-finals. Union Berlin do not concede many goals - they have kept clean sheets in five of their eight Europa League outings to date - so this could be a tough night for Union Saint-Gilloise.

Prediction: Union Berlin to win to nil @ 2.34 

Juventus v Freiburg

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

Juventus may have lost to Roma at the weekend, but they were previously in excellent form. Four consecutive victories in Serie A had lifted them up the standings, while Max Allegri’s men got the better of Nantes with a 4-1 aggregate triumph in the Europa League play-offs.

Freiburg are generally a tough nut to crack, but they have already lost away games 6-0 and 5-1 in 2023. This game is unlikely to be so one-sided, but Juve have it in them to triumph by a two-goal margin or more. 

Prediction: Juventus -1.5 Asian handicap @ 2.72 

Manchester United v Real Betis

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday 

Manchester United headed to Anfield on Sunday hoping to win at the home of their arch-rivals for the first time in seven years. Instead, they suffered their joint-heaviest ever defeat, going down 7-0 to Jurgen Klopp’s side in an astonishing afternoon of Premier League football.

Erik ten Hag: will be looking for his Manchester United squad to bounce back on Thursday

Given the nature of the loss, it could be difficult for United to respond immediately. Real Betis will therefore arrive at Old Trafford with a degree of confidence, particularly up against a defence which was torn apart by Liverpool. Goals at both ends looks like the way to go in this one.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.92 

Thursday’s Europa League Tips 

Roma v Real Sociedad: Roma to win @ 2.22
Sporting CP v Arsenal: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.02
Union Berlin v Union Saint-Gilloise: Union Berlin to win to nil @ 2.34
Juventus v Freiburg: Juventus -2.5 Asian handicap @ 2.72
Manchester United v Real Betis: Both teams to score @ 1.92