Europa League

Rangers will be fired up to exorcise the demons of their last trip to face Progres Niederkorn in a Europa League qualifier two years ago. On that occasion, the Glasgow giants lost in Luxembourg to crash out, but this time they travel with a 2-0 advantage and much greater focus.

Aberdeen showed plenty of spirit to earn a 1-1 draw with Chikhura Sachkhere in Tbilisi and are fancied to finish the job off at Pittodrie. Derek McInnes has to contend with injury problems at the back ahead of this Europa League qualifier, but the Dons can do enough going forward to progress.

Wolves were frustrated for long periods of their first clash with Crusaders but are still well placed to coast through this Europa League qualifier. Wanderers eventually secured a 2-0 advantage at Molineux after having 80 per cent of the possession and should again dominate in the return fixture.

Rangers had to be patient when taking on St Joseph’s in Gibraltar but will be looking to get on top much earlier in the second leg of their Europa League qualifier. The first encounter was goalless at the interval, but Steven Gerrard’s side then managed to cut loose after the break to win 4-0.

Kilmarnock were given a fright when visiting Connah’s Quay in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier and will be looking for a smoother ride at Rugby Park. Killie had to come from behind to snatch a late 2-1 triumph in Wales but should now be able to ease through to the next stage.

Aberdeen still have work to do after conceding a last-gasp goal in their 2-1 Europa League win over Rovaniemi but should be up to the task in Finland. The Dons looked a cut above their opponents for long periods at Pittodrie and would have been emphatic victors with more clinical finishing.

Chelsea are firm favourites to reach the Europa League final after drawing 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt and justifiably so, judged on what we saw in Germany. The Blues had to come from behind at Commerzbank Arena but looked much the better team once growing into that game.

Valencia will be going all out to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit when entertaining Arsenal in the Europa League and do have a superb record at the Mestalla. Los Che beat Man Utd and Young Boys here in the Champions League this season and have won eight straight at home in this competition.

Arsenal made a strong start to their Europa League quarter-final with a composed 2-0 first-leg victory at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners took control during the opening 45 minutes in north London courtesy of Aaron Ramsey’s neat finish and a Kalidou Koulibaly own goal ahead of the trip to Naples.

Chelsea took a giant step towards the Europa League semi-finals with a 1-0 first-leg win over Slavia Prague. A clean sheet and an away goal in the Czech Republic should set the Blues up for a straight forward return game at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Felix stole the show with a hat-trick in the first leg of Benfica’s Europa League quarter-final against 10-man Frankfurt. Ruben Dias was also on target as the Portuguese side claimed a dominant 4-2 victory in Lisbon and they can progress, despite losing the return fixture in Germany.

Valencia left it late to put one foot in the Europa League semi-finals with a 3-1 victory at Villarreal in the first leg but are expected to confirm that superiority. Goals from Goncalo Guedes and Daniel Wass in added time put Marcelino’s side in control of the all-La Liga tie.

Arsenal face an uphill battle to qualify for the Europa League quarter-finals after losing 3-1 away to Rennes but will go all out to turn the tie around in London. The Gunners are 11/10 to advance and Unai Emery is sure to urge his players to push forward at every opportunity at Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea put one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals when beating Dynamo Kiev 3-0 in London and can confirm their superiority in the Ukraine. The Blues had 60 per cent of the possession and did not allow a single shot on target in a dominant display at Stamford Bridge.