Liverpool, Leverkusen, West Ham, and Brighton all re-enter the fray as the UEFA Europa League round of 16 begins. Ajax host Aston Villa in a tasty Europa Conference League clash, and as always, we have previewed the games and provided the best betting tips to help you win. **AS Roma vs Brighton** Daniele De Rossi has made an unbelievable impact since replacing Jose Mourinho as Roma boss. They head into this UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg against Brighton unbeaten in five games (W4, D1). The Gialorossi had to endure the nerves of a penalty shootout to edge past Feyenoord in the last playoff round after a pair of 1-1 draws. Having lost in the final of this competition last season, their aim is certainly to go one step further. History is on their side here, with the hosts winning seven of their last eight home European matches against Premier League opposition. While the Italians head into this contest in fine form, the same cannot be said for Brighton, who have managed just one victory across their past five matches in all competitions (D1, L3). They have also lost some of their spark in front of goal, with Lewis Dunk’s 90th-minute header against Everton last week being the only goal they’ve managed in their past three matches. Despite their recent struggles, Brighton are unbeaten on the road in Europe this season, with their two recent continental trips (Ajax 2-0 and AEK Athens 1-0) contributing to four straight UEL wins without conceding a single goal. Key stat: Roma have scored 2 or more goals in 7 of their last 8 games across all competitions. **Verdict:** Brighton have fared better in Europe than they have in the Premier League this season, but taking anything from the Stadio Olimpico will be a tall order. Taking that into account, Our bet of the day is for the hosts Roma to continue their dominance at home.
**AC Milan vs Slavia Prague** Milan defeated Lazio 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico last weekend to keep the pressure on second-placed Juventus. The Rossoneri will now head into this UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie with Slavia Prague in high spirits. Playing on Friday night will have given Stefano Pioli enough time to prepare his team for this encounter and a home win will be crucial considering their record on the road in Europe, where they haven’t won an away leg of a knockout UEFA tie since 2017/18. This is Milan’s first-ever meeting with Slavia Prague, but their record of 1 home defeat in the last 9 means the Rossoneri will not be fazed by this matchup, especially at the San Siro. Slavia Prague drew 0-0 with league rivals Sparta at the weekend to remain 4 points off top spot. For now, their attention turns back to the Europa League hoping to spring an upset on Italian soil. Slavia have made eight competitive trips to Italy for UEFA action, taking on seven different clubs, and have never won, making this task all the more daunting. **Verdict:** Milan are extremely reliable at the San Siro, and Slavia’s wretched record in Italy makes an uphill task even more difficult. **Key stat -** Milan have scored in the first half in 9 of their last 10 home games, and our free football prediction is for that run to continue in a home win.
**Ajax vs Aston Villa** Ajax vs Aston Villa at the Johan Cruyff Arena is arguably the most mouthwatering clash in the UEFA Conference League Round of 16. Ajax came through a grueling play-off tie against Bodo/Glimt, needing an extra-time win to advance, but a run of just two wins across their last seven competitive matches (D3, L2) shows that they remain a shadow of their former selves. Both of those victories have come in their last three outings, so John van ‘t Schip’s side can head into this tough tie with some confidence despite their recent poor records against English teams. The Eredivisie side are on a losing streak of 5 matches against English opposition, failing to score in each of the last four, and have won just two European encounters at home (D3, L5). Those are records that Aston Villa will be keen to take advantage of, and as the Unai Emery revolution rolls into Amsterdam, a run of three successive Premier League victories will have the visitors brimming with confidence. They’ve already seen their side win on Dutch soil this term when they beat AZ Alkmaar 4-1 in the UECL group stage and will have no fear of playing against one of Europe’s historically prestigious sides. That win contributed to an impressive tally of 12 goals in Aston Villa's four previous European away matches this season. Emery's team are also riding an unbeaten run in six away games across all competitions (4 wins, 2 draws). However, their recent defensive vulnerabilities might be a cause for concern, having conceded ten goals in their last five competitive matches. **Key stat -** 15 of Ajax's last 18 games have featured both teams on the scoresheet This match promises excitement, and we feel confident in our bet prediction, which is Aston Villa to win, both teams to score, and Watkins to get on the scoresheet. **Verdict:** Villa are the better side, and are in better form than their hosts. Ajax have kept one clean sheet in their last 10 home games, and they will be faced by the red-hot Ollie Watkins, whose brace at the weekend continued his excellent run (31 G+A in 31 Games).
**Qarabag vs Bayer Leverkusen** Azerbaijani champions Qarabag find themselves in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League after an impressive 6-5 aggregate win over Braga in the play-off round. That result means the hosts have become the first side from their country to ever reach this stage of any major European competition. With a 23-point lead at the top of the domestic league, all of their focus can now be placed on this first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, as these two sides meet for the third time in this season’s tournament. They suffered defeats in both group-stage meetings, and their recent record of just one win in the last four competitive home games, conceding 3+ goals in three of those outings, means they must improve drastically to avoid a pummelling. After winning each of their six Europa League group stage matches, Leverkusen will make this long trip east full of confidence, especially since their unbeaten run was extended even further over the weekend. After defeating fierce rivals Cologne 2-0, Die Werkself made it 34 matches (W30, D4) undefeated across all competitions this campaign and extended their lead at the Bundesliga summit to 10 points, bringing them closer to a first title. Leverkusen have been particularly strong on their travels of late, winning 13 of their last 14 competitive away games (D1), seven of which were accompanied by a clean sheet. Remarkably, ten of those matches have also seen the German side score 2+ goals, a trend they’ll be keen to continue here in Baku as they look to take home a big advantage from this first leg. **Key stat -** Qarabag have received 25 yellow cards in this season’s UEL - the second-most of any side in the competition. **Verdict:** Leverkusen defeated Qarabag twice in the group stage, scoring 6 times and conceding once. The Bundesliga leaders are one of the favourites for the competition and our bet prediction is for Xabi Alonso’s men to record a comfortable win.
**Benfica vs Rangers** Benfica suffered an energy-sapping, morale-draining 5-0 defeat to Porto on Sunday, making it two successive losses for Roger Schmidt’s men. It was even more surprising because they were riding an eight-game unbeaten streak before that capitulation (W6, D2). That run included a 2-1 aggregate success over Toulouse in the UEFA Europa League play-off round, and they return to continental action in this last-16 tie against Rangers, aiming to put a disappointing weekend behind them. Benfica have a strong history against Scottish opponents, boasting a dominant record (W6, D3, L3). Within those games is an almost perfect home return (W5, D1), although the Eagles may not take this for granted as their 2-1 home win against Toulouse in the first leg of the previous round was their only victory across the last five European home games (D1, L3). Rangers were unbeaten in their first ten games of 2024 until a surprising 2-1 loss at home to Motherwell last weekend. While this affected their domestic title hopes, their strong performance in the UEFA Europa League has boosted expectations for European success. With a solid record against Portuguese opponents (W11, D7, L4), including a quarter-final victory over Braga in the 2021/22 UEL campaign, Rangers will be hoping to continue their fine form, even as underdogs. **Key stat -** Each of Rangers’ last eight competitive matches featured goals in both halves. **Verdict:** Rangers have been in superb form since the turn of the year, but Benfica’s home record (W12, D3) is too good to ignore. There have also been over 2.5 goals in 8 of Benfica’s last 9 home games, making the ‘goals market’ an excellent option. With that in mind, our bet of the day is a Benfica win and over 2.5 goals.
**Marseille vs Villarreal** Marseille prepared for this crucial knockout tie against Villarreal with a convincing 5-1 victory over Clermont on Saturday. This marked their third successive win in all competitions, all secured with a two-goal minimum margin, showcasing their new-found firepower. You’d be brave to bet against them extending that run here, especially as they’re unbeaten in their last nine home games in UEFA knockout stage ties (W8, D1). Combine that remarkable record with ten wins from their last 16 European home matches (D4, L2), and there’s a strong case for Marseille claiming a first-leg advantage. Villarreal also come into this clash on the back of a 5-1 win over Granada at the weekend, they are now planted in mid-table with no danger of relegation, allowing them to focus on the Europa League in a bid to replicate their 2021 success in this competition. Having won the first leg in six of their last seven two-legged Europa League knockout stage ties, The Yellow Submarine will feel confident going into this. They also boast a strong track record in away matches in this competition, securing victories in seven of their last ten Europa League away games. **Key stat -** Marseille have scored at least twice in five of their last six Europa League home games. **Verdict:** Both teams are in fine form, with Marseille flying really high at the moment, and backing both teams to find the net represents our best football tips for today.
**Sparta Prague vs Liverpool** Sparta Prague overturned a 3-2 first-leg deficit against Galatasaray by dominating the second-leg 4-1 at Stadion Letná to set up an exciting matchup against high-flying English juggernauts Liverpool. Their history against English opposition is unlikely to offer much confidence as they have won just once in their last 16 meetings (D4, L11). Sparta are also winless in the first leg of their last 15 UEFA competition ties (D6, L9) and Brian Priske’s men will be looking to make full use of home advantage here in an attempt to change that. This game may not be as straightforward as one might think. Jurgen Klopp’s injury-ravaged Liverpool side are without a win in their last 11 away games in the Europa League (D5, L6). The Reds will be aiming to improve that record as manager Jürgen Klopp seeks to secure victory in the only competition the club hasn't won under his tenure. The German has already led his team to Carabao Cup glory this season, and with the Reds still in the FA Cup, and top of the Premier League, Liverpool could be in for a historic finish in Klopp’s last season at the club. **Key stat -** Darwin Nunez has exploded in Mohamed Salah’s absence, scoring 6 goals in his last 8 games. **Verdict:** Liverpool have a lengthy injury list to deal with but navigated the past few weeks expertly, winning 6 in a row, and scoring 16 goals in the process. Klopp’s players seem to be giving their all for their beloved boss, as academy players have been thrust into the fray in recent weeks and performed admirably. European away trips are never easy but our bet of the day is a Liverpool win.
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