Five of the last seven UEFA Super Cup matches have gone to extra-time and Sevilla will be keen to give Bayern Munich a tough work-out in Budapest. The Europa League winners drew with fellow Spaniards Barcelona in 2015 and Real Madrid a year later, before losing out in an additional half an hour.
Tottenham look well placed to ease past KF Shkendija of North Macedonia in a Europa League qualifier being played behind closed doors. Spurs are coming off a big win at Southampton and were given extra preparation time for this trip when Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie at Orient was called off.
Talk of Gareth Bale returning to the club is dominating the headlines for Tottenham but they also have a Europa League match in Bulgaria to focus on. It is little more than 15 months since Spurs were appearing in the Champions League final yet they now find themselves having to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.
Lincoln Red Imps are eyeing an Old Firm double when they host Rangers in Europa League qualifying. The team from Gibraltar famously beat Celtic in Brendan Rodgers’ first match in charge in 2016, although the Bhoys made amends in the return leg in Glasgow.
Inter Milan are hard to oppose in Friday’s Europa League decider versus Sevilla judged on the evidence of their respective semi-final performances. The Nerazzurri simply demolished Shakhtar Donetsk, whereas Los Rojiblancos were rated a touch fortunate to edge out Manchester United.
Lyon belied big odds to beat Manchester City in the Champions League but it is hard to see lightening striking twice when they take on Bayern Munich. The German giants will be full of confidence after an incredible 8-2 drubbing of Barcelona and should not make the same mistakes City made.
RB Leipzig and PSG both like to play in a positive manner and that will hopefully lead to an entertaining first Champions League semi-final. The German outfit clearly possess a tremendous team spirit, but the French aristocrats have an edge in class which is hard to get away from.
Inter Milan are fancied to have a little bit too much tactical nous for Shakhtar Donetsk in Monday night’s Europa League semi-final. The Pitmen have played some entertaining football since the competition restarted but may just have their limitations exposed at this level.
Manchester City look to have been gifted a golden opportunity to reach the Champions League semi-finals when taking on Lyon in Lisbon. However, it is worth remembering that Les Gones did well against the Blues during last season’s group stage, winning 2-1 away and drawing 2-2 at home.
RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid have contrasting styles that could lead to a close encounter when they meet in the Champions League quarter-finals. The German outfit generally take a positive approach, whereas Los Colchoneros rely on a dogged determination to grind out results.
PSG are fancied to have just too much nous for Atalanta in their single-leg Champions League quarter-final tie in Lisbon. The French aristocrats may be hampered by a lack of match sharpness but have the class to cope against opponents who look in too deep at this level.
Sevilla looked a very professional side when knocking Roma out of the Europa League and are fancied to see off Wolves in the quarter-finals. Wanderers are another well-drilled outfit who play with plenty of spirit, but may just be a bit behind their Spanish opponents in overall quality.
Shakhtar Donetsk played some entertaining football in Wednesday’s defeat of Wolfsburg and may prove too hot for Basel to handle. The Swiss outfit did well to get past last season’s Europa League semi-finalists Eintracht Frankfurt but still look a touch limited at this level.
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.