Europa League Knockout Playoffs Rundown and Top Betting Picks

Ajax vs Union Berlin

Ajax and Union Berlin’s tie promises to be an entertaining one. Ajax has not had a fantastic campaign so far. Third, in its Champions League group, Ajax has not experienced the smooth sailing it enjoyed in recent years. The team sacked coach Alfred Schreuder after a run of seven league games without a win, with John Heitinga remaining in charge for the rest of the season.

Union Berlin is enjoying another super season in the Bundesliga, sitting just one point behind leader Bayern Munich and qualifying for the first time in history in the European knockout stages. Union Berlin is in great shape and we expect it to make it to the next round. Urs Fischer’s side has won all six competitive games this calendar year and should have enough to return home with a positive result, so we will include it in our soccer picks and parlays.

Juventus vs Nantes

It has been another disappointing campaign for the Italian giants, getting docked 15 points in the Serie A earlier this year. A first Europa League appearance in almost a decade shows where things are going for the club but winning this competition is its only chance to earn a Champions League spot for next year. To continue Juventus‘ unbeaten home record in the Europa League, Massimiliano Allegri will be boosted by the return of veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci after a two-month absence.

Nantes was the second-lowest scorer among the teams that finished second in their UEL group, but it still must be delighted to make its first appearance in a major European knockout stage in over 20 years. The team will be without its main scorer, so we don’t expect it to find the back of the net on Thursday. Juventus should be able to solve the qualification issues from the first leg, so if you’re betting online, you should trust Juventus here.

Bayer Leverkusen vs AS Monaco

Leverkusen did not start the season well and can perhaps count itself lucky to still be in Europe. Eighth in the Bundesliga after 20 games, it still has time to turn the ship around. Xabi Alonso looks to have finally settled into his first job in senior management. The Spaniard has steered his side to six victories across its last eight Bundesliga matches, the best of which being a 3-1 win at Hoffenheim. The team should be in a confident mood when it returns to continental commitments against Monaco.

Philippe Clement’s Monaco is unbeaten in six since its shocking elimination in the Coupe de France. Saturday’s convincing 3-1 win over leader Paris Saint-Germain extended its unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to eight matches. While first-leg knockout ties can have a tendency to be tight and cagey affairs, both sides are likely to try and play on the front foot here, so there is potential that this game could produce plenty of goals and entertainment.

Sporting Lisbon vs FC Midtjylland

Two underperforming sides square off 21 years after their only previous meeting. Sporting Lisbon and Midtjylland have lacked consistency this season, making this tie a fascinating one.

Fourth in its domestic league, Sporting’s hope of Champions League football is looking very unfavorable. Still, Sporting Lisbon continues its hunt for continental glory in the Europa League, where it will be looking to surpass its 2019-20 run when it reached the last-16 before suffering a 5-4 aggregate loss against Istanbul Basaksehir. Sporting enters this clash as a heavy favorite, priced at -310 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest soccer odds.

Midtjylland has struggled to get going in the Danish top flight, where it is currently winless in four consecutive matches, picking up three draws and losing once since October’s 2-1 win over Horsens. The club picked up eight points from six matches to finish second in Group F, but its last competitive match happened back in November, so it is not fully fit for this clash. We expect a comfortable home win, with the Portuguese Giants having a great record at home.