Europa League Preview: Round Of 16
Published March 11, 2021 by Sol FH
The Europa League continues today at 17:55 GMT and again at 20:00 GMT, with 8 matches total and hundreds of odds.
We are getting down to the nitty-gritty in the Europa League with 16 teams left in the competition. This evening at 20:00 GMT we have the option of watching 8 matchups across Europe featuring some of the best teams on the continent that will battle it out for a leg 1 win.
Obviously, there is a chance that any of the 16 squads could make it to the next round but let's take a look at the teams that are expected to go through to the quarter-finals and beyond.
United vs. Milan - 17:55
Manchester United will host AC Milan at Old Trafford but they will be going into the match without Marcus Rashford and perhaps even Edinson Cavani. Watching Rashford leave the pitch during the second-half of Uniteds' win over Manchester City struck fears into the squad and fans that he may have suffered an ankle damage, but, scans have shown that he only has severe bruising.
Cavani has expressed his displeasure with the club but may play. Pogba remains sidelined due to a thigh injury that has left him out for over a month. Finally, United is still without Donny van De Beek and Juan Mata (both injured), and, David de Gea still with his newborn.
These absences will surely affect United's chances of winning and Milan could take advantage and pull out a first-leg away win.
Odds- United is still the favorite to win tonight in light of their roster and bet365 Sports has posted at 1.61 in their favor, while Milan is back at 5.50.
Olympiacos vs. Arsenal - 20:00
The Gunners travel to Karaiskakis Stadium tonight to take on Olympiacos. There have been ten previous meetings between these teams with the win/loss record at an even five games apiece. Last season, Olympiacos knocked Arsenal out of the competition in the round of 32, much to the dismay of the Gunners. Tonight, they will try to begin getting their revenge in the round of 16 first leg.
It seems like Olympiacos is the proverbial Achilles' Heel for Arsenal, as the Greek squad has only won two of its last 11 matches against English sides, with both wins coming against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to win their next five matches, in order to secure its spot in Europe next season, but, that is easier said than done as their next matches are against Tottenham, West Ham, and Liverpool in their next three league games, and the second-leg tie against Olympiacos in a couple of weeks.
Odds - Arsenal is favorites to win tonight as bet365 Sports has them at 1.83, while Olympiacos is back at 4.50. A draw could be a wise bet at 3.60.
For all of the Europa League best of 16 matches, bet365 Sports is offering live in-play odds.
The odds in this article at the bookmaker mentioned above were accurate at the time of writing on March 11 at 8:00 GMT.
