Thursday's Europa League predictions including Roma vs. Feyenoord

Rennes vs. AC Milan (Thursday, 5.45pm)

With one foot in the Europa League's last 16, AC Milan aim to finish the job on Thursday, when they take a three-goal lead to Rennes.

Milan cruised to victory in the first leg of their knockout round playoff tie, leaving Les Rennais with a mountain to climb back at Roazhon Park.

We say: Rennes 2-1 AC Milan (AC Milan win 4-2 on aggregate)

Having averaged over two goals per game this year, Milan are likely to score again - and that should put their place in the last 16 beyond doubt. Nonetheless, losing in Italy was the only defeat Rennes have suffered since December, so the hosts are capable of a consolation win on the night.

Freiburg vs. Lens (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Lens travel to the Black Forest to face Freiburg in the second leg of their Europa League playoff round tie on Thursday at Europa-Park.

The first leg ended goalless in a clash that could have gone either way but ultimately left the tie finely poised heading into the return encounter.

We say: Freiburg 1-1 Lens (1-1 on aggregate a.e.t, Freiburg to win on penalties)

There was very little to separate the sides in the first leg, and this has all the hallmarks of a tie that could go the distance this week.

Lens have shown stronger form domestically, but home advantage is likely to play its part in favour of Freiburg, as this appears to be one of the games most likely to be decided by a penalty shootout across all of Thursday's action.

Toulouse vs. Benfica (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Bringing a slender lead with them to France, Benfica seek to finish the job against Toulouse in the second leg of their Europa League playoff encounter on Thursday evening.

The Portuguese champions emerged triumphant by a 2-1 scoreline in last week's opening encounter, where a pair of second-half Angel di Maria penalties did the damage.

We say: Toulouse 1-2 Benfica (Benfica win 4-2 on aggregate)

Sitting back and waiting for the right moment to strike should not be the approach Toulouse take on Thursday evening, where the French side must go for broke lest they exit the Europa League with a whimper.

Such tactics will inevitably leave space for the red-hot attacking unit of Benfica to exploit, though, and with Les Violets also enduring a woeful stretch of home form, the Portuguese champions should make lightning strike twice to reach the last 16.

Qarabag vs. Braga (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Holding a two-goal lead, Qarabag FK aim to close out the tie against Braga in the second leg of their Europa League playoff encounter on Thursday night.

The Azerbaijani side emerged triumphant with a 4-2 scoreline in last week's opening encounter, putting themselves in a strong position to advance in the competition.

We say: Qarabag FK 2-1 Braga

Qarabag's first-leg win has put them in a strong position, and they will be buoyed by playing at home in front of their fans. Braga, meanwhile, continue to struggle defensively and have been misfiring in attack recently. We expect the home side to secure qualification on Thursday.

Roma vs. Feyenoord (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Roma and Feyenoord will cross paths once again when they meet at the Stadio Olimpico in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday.

The tie is hanging in the balance after a 1-1 draw at De Kuip last week, with Romelu Lukaku continuing his incredible Europa League run to clinch a draw for the Giallorossi.

We say: Roma 2-1 Feyenoord (Roma win 3-2 on aggregate)

In what is set to be yet another intriguing, hard-fought and close encounter between these two sides, it has been set up perfectly following a tight first leg.

Roma have had the slight edge over Feyenoord in the last two seasons though, and with home advantage here, and a firing Lukaku on their side, they will be favourites to progress to the last 16.

Sporting Lisbon vs. Young Boys (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Sporting Lisbon and Young Boys will do battle in the Portuguese capital on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff tie.

Having prevailed in the first leg in Switzerland, the hosts have a 3-1 lead to defend at the Estadio Jose Alvalade with a round-of-16 place on the line.

We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-1 Young Boys (Sporting Lisbon win 6-2 on aggregate)

Sporting Lisbon showed their superior quality in last week's away leg, and while the visitors will push hard to get back into the tie, we can only envisage Os Leoes prevailing again and sealing a dominant aggregate win.

Sparta Prague vs. Galatasaray (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Sparta Prague play host to Galatasaray in the second leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff, needing to overturn a deficit to progress.

The Czech side thought they had salvaged a draw in Turkey last week, but they conceded a stoppage-time goal to trail ahead of the return leg.

We say: Sparta Prague 2-2 Galatasaray

Having found the net twice against Galatasaray last week, Sparta Prague will fancy their chances here. However, we think the visitors will do enough not to lose this match and eventually go through on aggregate.

Marseille vs. Shakhtar (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Already onto their third manager of the season, a disjointed Marseille welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the Orange Velodrome for the second leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff tie on Thursday night.

Les Olympiens threw away a pair of one-goal leads to draw 2-2 with the Ukrainian champions in the first leg, in what has proven to be Gennaro Gattuso's penultimate game in the hotseat.

We say: Marseille 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (3-3 on aggregate a.e.t, Marseille to win on penalties)

Another reshuffle of the sporting staff is hardly helpful for a Marseille crop crying out for some sort of inspiration, which is unlikely to arrive in the shape of Gasset's short-term appointment, but the famed new manager bounce phenomenon could come to the fore either way.

Les Olympiens remain a tough nut to crack on their own patch and can be expected to at least force extra time against a Shakhtar squad still lacking competitive match practice, and should penalties be required to decide the teams' fate, the Orange Velodrome crowd could make all the difference.