Thursday’s Europa League predictions including Manchester United vs. Real Betis

After being paired together in the group stage earlier this season, Union Berlin will go head-to-head with Union SG for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Both meetings in the group stage ended 1-0 to the away team, but we can envisage a reverse scoreline on Thursday, with Union Berlin likely to be able to keep their opponents at arms’ length.
The two managers deploy very similar formations with an emphasis on remaining compact out of possession, so it may not be a match for the purists to savour. However, the home fans will be roaring their team onto unprecedented success, with Union SG potentially having to settle for keeping the tie alive heading into the second leg.

Bayer Leverkusen take on Ferencvaros in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at the BayArena on Thursday.

Leverkusen overcame Monaco in the previous round to reach this stage, while Ferencvaros received a bye after topping Group H.

We say: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Ferencvaros

Having significantly improved throughout Alonso’s tenure, Leverkusen should have too much quality for their opponents on Thursday.
However, the Hungarian champions are likely to battle hard and will retain a threat in transition with the quality of Adama Traore and Tokmac Nguen, so it would be little surprise if they score to keep the tie alive ahead of the return leg in Budapest next week.

Resuming their quest for an elusive continental crown, Arsenal travel to the Estadio Jose Alvalade XXI for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash with Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night.

The Gunners progressed as winners from Group A to set up a tie with Ruben Amorim’s former Champions League contenders, who dished out a 5-1 beating to FC Midtjylland in the playoffs.

We say: Sporting Lisbon 1-1 Arsenal

With Sporting being forced to bring in at least one inexperienced midfielder to cover for stalwart Ugarte, Arsenal would no doubt take advantage in normal circumstances, but a wealth of attacking injuries does not bode that well for Arteta’s side.
While the Gunners should not share the same fate as North London rivals Tottenham did on Sporting’s turf, they might have to be content with a draw before the two sides reconvene at the Emirates on March 16.