Thursday's Europa League predictions including Liverpool vs. Sparta Prague

Villarreal vs. Marseille (Thursday, 5.45pm)

On Thursday, Villarreal will welcome Marseille to Estadio de la Ceramica for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

The Yellow Submarine are faced with a near-impossible task after falling to a heavy 4-0 defeat in last week's trip to the Stade Velodrome.

We say: Villarreal 2-1 Marseille (Marseille to win 5-2 on aggregate)

Villarreal tend to enjoy themselves in Europa League home matches, but while we think that they will do enough to claim a second-leg victory, we do not expect the Yellow Submarine to overturn the four-goal deficit from the first leg.

Rangers vs. Benfica (Thursday, 5.45pm)

One week on from their thrilling 2-2 first-leg draw in Lisbon, Rangers welcome Benfica to Ibrox for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night.

After the Gers were pegged back twice by their Portuguese counterparts, the tie is finely poised as both clubs eye a place in the quarter-finals.

We say: Rangers 3-2 Benfica (Rangers to win 5-4 on aggregate)

Each of the last three meetings between Rangers and Benfica - all in the Europa League - have ended as a draw, with both sides scoring at least two goals. Another entertaining end-to-end affair could be in store, but something has to give on Thursday.

While Rangers are without a number of first-team players through injury, a refreshed set of options in key areas across the pitch will strengthen Benfica following their domestic win last weekend. However, the Ibrox factor on a big European night could play a significant role for the Gers, with the home crowd roaring them on to another memorable home triumph.

West Ham vs. Freiburg (Thursday, 5.45pm)

After a controversial and bizarre conclusion to the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, West Ham United and Freiburg go again at the London Stadium on Thursday evening.

The German outfit arrive in the English capital with a 1-0 lead to protect from last week's opening encounter, where David Moyes's troops were questionably denied a late penalty.

We say: West Ham United 3-1 Freiburg (West Ham win 3-2 on aggregate)

West Ham can ill-afford to start Thursday's second leg in the same manner that they did against Burnley, but with European progression on the line and vengeance on the mind, Moyes's rejigged side should explode out of the blocks at the London Stadium.

Freiburg have consistently proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the final third, but West Ham's offence is often too powerful to quell at full tilt, and we have faith in the Irons to reverse their first-leg deficit and book their ticket to the last-eight draw.

Slavia Prague vs. AC Milan (Thursday, 5.45pm)

AC Milan travel to the Czech capital for the second leg of their Europa League last 16 clash with Slavia Prague on Thursday evening.

The Rossoneri lead 4-2 from an exhilarating first leg, which leaves the tie swayed heavily in their favour, but not yet over by any means.

We say: Slavia Prague 2-2 AC Milan

Milan have been involved in plenty of thrilling encounters recently with many goals, including in the second leg of their playoff tie with Rennes, but they should still have enough to comfortably navigate this encounter even if Slavia get on the scoresheet.

While being in significantly better shape than rivals Sparta, who were thrashed by Liverpool last week, this may be too much of an ask for Slavia, as the Czech representation in the Europa League will likely end this week.

Atalanta vs. Sporting Lisbon (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Atalanta BC welcome Sporting Lisbon to the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday in a Europa League last-16 second-leg clash.

The tie is still in the balance after last week's 1-1 draw at Estadio Jose Alvalade, despite the Italian side hitting the woodwork multiple times against Ruben Amorim's men.

We say: Atalanta BC 2-3 Sporting Lisbon (Sporting win 4-3 on aggregate)

La Dea have not won in five in all competitions, suffering two defeats in that period, thus giving Sporting the confidence to end their winless run against Italian clubs.

Liverpool vs. Sparta Prague (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Barring the capitulation to end all capitulations, Liverpool will safely progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, but the Reds must first host Sparta Prague in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

Jurgen Klopp's men thumped their Czech foes 5-1 in last week's opening encounter, but the scoreline certainly did not tell the full tale at the epet Arena.

We say: Liverpool 3-0 Sparta Prague (Liverpool win 8-1 on aggregate)

Sparta Prague should not be travelling to British shores with a four-goal deficit to make up, but failure to convert their glut of first-leg opportunities proved fatal, and they are unlikely to carve out as many openings in front of the Anfield wall.

A weary Liverpool side could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas ever so slightly, but with several competent youngsters sure to be handed opportunities to impress against a confidence-sapped Sparta outfit, another routine win and place in the last eight is on the cards for Klopp's crop.

> How Liverpool could line up against Sparta Prague

> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Sparta Prague

Brighton vs. Roma (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Hoping to pull off a seismic shock - or at least salvage some pride - Brighton & Hove Albion host resurgent Roma in the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday.

The Seagulls trail by four goals following last week's capitulation in the Italian capital, which leaves them likely to exit in the last 16.

We say: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Roma (Roma win 5-2 on aggregate)

Roma do not tend to travel well, while Brighton are much harder to beat at the Amex than away from home. The visitors will be happy just to complete their quarter-final qualification without exerting too much energy; their hosts will want to go out with a bang.

B. Leverkusen vs. Qarabag (Thursday, 8.00pm)

After being given the fright of their lives in Baku last week, Bayer Leverkusen will look to keep their treble hopes alive when they welcome Qarabag FK to the BayArena for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night.

Die Werkself were required to come from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw in the first leg, setting up an intriguing return fixture in Germany with a quarter-final spot up for grabs.

We say: Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 Qarabag FK (Bayer Leverkusen to win 5-3 on aggregate)

Alonso may not be so tempted to makes mass changes to his Leverkusen lineup this time around and should turn to some of his star names from the off in a bid to take control of proceedings and begin the second leg in better fashion than the first.

Qarabag will have their tails up heading to Germany and require another spirited display to put themselves in a strong position to progress, but taking into account Leverkusen's strength in depth, the hosts should get the job done to reach the last eight.