The Europa league is an arduous slog of a competition. This is particularly true in the Covid season, when fans haven’t even been able to watch the games.
We’ve suffered through the group stages. The insufferable extra knockout rounds. Now, the Europa League starts to get interesting. The quarter and semi finals at least feature good teams and have some sense of something being on the line.
Slavia Prague 1 – 1 Arsenal
An insipid performance and poor finishing from Arsenal in the first leg means Prague have the advantage. We can, at the very least, expect some urgency from Arsenal away in the Czech Republic. Their league season is finished. If they crash out of Europe, their season is over. The gunners must at least reach the final to keep the fire lit. Slavia Prague are no joke, though. They knocked out Leicester to get to the quarter finals. At home, they will be difficult to beat. They are 15/4 to win the game.
Read: Sergio Aguero To Leave Manchester City At The End Of The Season
Manchester United 2 – 0 Granada
In perhaps the easiest tie to call, Manchester United take a 2 – 0 advantage over Granada back to Old Trafford. The odds don’t reflect this, but they are strong favourites to win the competition, given their form. So much will depend on Paul Pogba. Bruno Fernandes is capable of carrying the team, no question. However, when he has a fully firing Pogba alongisde him, Utd are an ominous force. They are 2/5 to advance.
Villarreal 1 – 0 Dinamo Zagreb
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery treads into familiar waters once again. He is the Europa League master, having won it three times. His Villarreal side won’t be looked upon as one of the favourites. However, Emery’s experience could see them cause an upset. It will be fascinating if he faces Arsenal in the semi finals. Zagreb did knock out Spurs, though, and will believe they have another comeback in them.
Roma – 2 – 1 Ajax
In the most glamorous tie of the round, Roma hold the advantage over Ajax. It’s hard to see the storied Dutch team emerging from Rome with a win. Roma are 17/10 to advance.
