Europa League

FC Copenhagen are expected to prove game, but outgunned opponents when taking on Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals. The Danish outfit have a direct style of play which may cause a few problems, but the Red Devils are still rated a class apart in Cologne.

Bayer Leverkusen only have to make a short trip to Dusseldorf for Monday’s Europa League quarter-final and are a value bet to edge out Inter. The Nerazzurri showed signs of fatigue after a long, hard season when getting the better of Getafe and the fear is this may prove one match too many.

Olympiakos performed with great credit during a 1-1 first-leg draw against Wolves in Greece after going down to 10 men with less than half an hour gone. Having knocked out Arsenal in the previous round via a 2-1 extra-time win in London, we feel they command plenty of respect at Molineux.

Rangers were outclassed by Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League tie at Ibrox but may salvage some pride in the return fixture. Steven Gerrard’s side have hit the ground running in the new Scottish season, whereas their opponents must overcome a month’s absence from competitive action.

Basel are holding all the aces against Eintracht Frankfurt after an impressive 3-0 away win in the first leg and can prevail again in Switzerland. The hosts are coming off a solid end to the Swiss season, whereas their opponents last featured in competitive action over a month ago.

Man Utd all but guaranteed themselves a place in the Europa League quarter-finals when beating LASK Linz 5-0 in Austria back in March. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will still be keen to pick up a positive result in the return fixture ahead of travelling to Germany for the closing stages.

Inter Milan are rated a clear form choice to see off Getafe in Wednesday’s single-leg Europa League last-16 tie in Gelsenkirchen. The Nerazzurri finished strongly to claim second place in Serie A, whereas their opponents laboured badly in La Liga after returning from lockdown.

Shakhtar are in pole position to reach the Europa League quarter-finals after beating Wolfsburg 2-1 in Germany, but we’re expecting a close second encounter. The visitors are unbeaten in nine straight away matches in this competition and have only ever lost on the road in England.

Istanbul Basaksehir looked much the better team when beating FC Copenhagen 1-0 in Turkey in the first leg of their Europa League tie. Having done well away from home during the group stage this term, we’re sticking with Okan Buruk’s side to confirm that superiority in Denmark.

Manchester United survived a tricky Europa League test when visiting Club Brugge and are fancied to finish the job off at Old Trafford. The Red Devils started shakily in Belgium after making six changes, but looked the better team in the second half of that contest and have more scope for improvement.

Wolves look assured of a place in the last 16 of the Europa League after crushing Espanyol 4-0 at Molineux and may be content to cruise through the second leg. Their opponents are far more focused on a La Liga relegation battle than battling back in this tie, so this has the makings of a low-key contest.

Celtic left Denmark with mixed feelings following last week’s 1-1 Europa League draw with FC Copenhagen but are fancied to ease through in Glasgow. The Hoops had chances to establish a strong first-leg lead at Parken Stadion, but ended up needing a superb penalty save to return home on level terms.

Ajax have a mountain to climb in their Europa League last-32 tie after putting in a lacklustre effort when beaten 2-0 by Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. The Spanish outfit enjoyed a bit of good fortune with a deflected second goal on the stroke of full-time, but were good value for their victory overall.