Thursday's Europa League predictions including Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United

FCSB vs. Lyon (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Ligue 1 side Lyon will travel to Bucharest for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against FCSB on Thursday.

Lyon secured their place in the last 16 with a sixth-place finish in the league phase, while FCSB had to come through a playoff tie against Greek outfit PAOK.

We say: FCSB 2-2 Lyon

FCSB will be desperate to make full use of home advantage in Thursday's first leg, but they are set to face a club that have gone 11 consecutive Europa League away matches without defeat, including two wins and two draws in Lyon's four away outings in the league phase.

With that in mind, we think the French visitors will do enough to hold their hosts to a draw, which would leave everything to play for in next week's second leg.

> Europa League preview: FCSB vs Lyon

AZ vs. Spurs (Thursday, 5.45pm)

The bookmakers' favourites to win this season's Europa League are Tottenham Hotspur, who travel to the Netherlands to take on AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday evening.

While Spurs secured fourth spot in the 36-team League Phase standings, AZ finished in 19th place and required a 6-3 aggregate victory over Galatasaray in the playoff round to reach the knockout rounds.

We say: AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Winning the Europa League is now Tottenham's priority and Postecoglou can ill-afford to watch his side - one still possessing quality despite their lengthy injury list - produce a below-par performance if they wish to secure an important first-leg advantage.

AZ Alkmaar will be no pushovers for the North Londoners and are yet to lose at home in Europe this season (W4 D1), but we think that this run may come to an end and Spurs find a way to secure a slender win in the Netherlands.

> Europa League preview: AZ vs Spurs

> Kulusevski concern, Van de Ven, Romero hope: Predicted Spurs lineup vs. AZ Alkmaar

> Multiple returns for Postecoglou? Spurs injury, suspension list vs. AZ Alkmaar

Fenerbahce vs. Rangers (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce welcome Rangers to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday evening.

While the Gers secured a top-eight finish in the 36-team League Phase, their Turkish counterparts finished way down in 24th spot and required a 5-2 aggregate victory over Anderlecht in the playoff round to reach the knockout rounds.

We say: Fenerbahce 2-1 Rangers

Fenerbahce boast the highest shot conversion rate of any remaining team in the Europa League this season (16.5%), netting 14 of their 85 attempts on goal. They will back themselves to make the net ripple once again on Thursday against a Rangers side who have scored 15 of their 16 EL goals from open play - the joint-highest total in the competition this term.

Considering the contrasting form of these two sides, we are backing the high-flying hosts to get the better of a Gers outfit still getting to grips with the demands of new boss Ferguson.

> Europa League preview: Fenerbahce vs Rangers

Real Sociedad vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Manchester United resume their quest to win the Europa League when they travel to Spain to face Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday night.

While the Red Devils secured third spot in the 36-team League Phase standings, La Real finished 13th and required a 7-3 aggregate victory over FC Midtjylland in the playoff round to reach the knockout rounds.

We say: Real Sociedad 2-2 Manchester United

While first-leg fixtures can often be tight affairs, recent games involving Man United have been eventful and there may be plenty of action at both ends in Thursday's contest considering the Red Devils have scored and conceded in six of their eight Europa League matches this term, while both teams have scored in eight of Real Sociedad's 10 games in this season's competition.

It is difficult to predict a Man United success due to their unpredictability under Amorim, but they face a Real Sociedad outfit struggling for form themselves, so an entertaining score draw could be on the cards in San Sebastian.

> Europa League preview: Real Sociedad vs Man Utd

> Dorgu to replace Dalot or Mazraoui? Predicted Man United lineup vs. Real Sociedad

> Zubimendi, Oyarzabal to be recalled? Predicted Real Sociedad lineup vs. Man United

> Mixed news for Amorim: Man United injury, suspension news vs. Real Sociedad

Bodo/Glimt vs. Olympiacos (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt will head on their travels for Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg against Greek giants Olympiacos.

The hosts negotiated a knockout round playoff tie against Twente, while Olympiacos advanced straight to the last 16 courtesy of their top-eight finish in the league phase.

We say: Bodo/Glimt 1-1 Olympiacos

Bodo/Glimt will feel they need to establish a first-leg lead ahead of next week's trip to Greece, but we think they may be held to a draw by an Olympiacos side that have avoided defeat in each of their last 26 competitive matches since losing to Asteras Tripolis in October.

> Europa League preview: Bodo/Glimt vs Olympiacos

Ajax vs. Frankfurt (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Eintracht Frankfurt will visit the Amsterdam Arena for Thursday's first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash against Ajax.

The Bundesliga side finished in fifth spot in the league phase to progress straight to the last 16, while Ajax had to come through a tricky tie against Union Saint-Gilloise.

We say: Ajax 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt would have been disappointed to concede eight goals across their last two Bundesliga games, and while we do not expect that sort of damage in Thursday's fixture, we do think they will fall just short in Amsterdam, especially as they have lost their previous two European away matches.

> Europa League preview: Ajax vs Frankfurt

Roma vs. Athletic Bilbao (Thursday, 8.00pm)

After emerging through a tense playoff to reach the Europa League's last 16, Roma will host Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, as the pair play out the opening leg of an enticing tie.

The second meeting between the Italian club and their Basque counterparts comes just five months after the first, when they settled for a 1-1 draw in the league phase.

We say: Roma 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Conference League winners three years ago, before reaching a Europa League final and semi-final, Roma have lost only two of their last 38 home matches in Europe.

Putting 27 wins on the board in that spell, the in-form Giallorossi should start favourites - but Athletic are also a force to be reckoned with and will surely score at least once.

> Europa League preview: Roma vs Athletic Bilbao

Plzen vs. Lazio (Thursday, 8.00pm)

After cruising through to the Europa League's last 16, Lazio visit Viktoria Plzen in Thursday's first leg at Stadion mesta Plzne.

Meeting for the first time, the Italian side and their Czech counterparts will fight it out to face either Bodo/Glimt or Olympiacos in the quarter-finals.

We say: Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Lazio

Boasting a formidable home record in Europe, there is no doubt that Plzen can go toe-to-toe with league-phase top dogs Lazio.

Both sides should score at least once in an entertaining encounter, with the visitors heading back to Italy all square.

> Europa League preview: Plzen vs Lazio

Written by

Matt Law