The rematches of the Europa League playoffs are set for this Thursday. The central game is at Old Trafford, where Barcelona visits Manchester United.
Another interesting matchup is in Berlin, where Union and Ajax clash, while Monaco wants to keep its lead against Bayer Leverkusen at Stade Louis II.
Manchester United VS Barcelona
Both teams are in excellent shape, winning, scoring goals, and dominating the pitch. Though, only one will progress to the next stage. United has nine games in a row without a defeat, winning seven and having two draws. At home, they have 14 wins, three draws, and a single loss.
Manchester United had eight video analysts at the Camp Nou for their Europa League clash against Barcelona 👀
(via @EduPolo) pic.twitter.com/rFHoWr41N0
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 21, 2023
Barca didn’t lose in the previous 18 contests, while they have 11 consecutive victories away from home and are in one hell of a shape when looking at that data. There is a problem for Xavi before this clash, because Pedri, who is the primary playmaker, won’t play due to an injury.
This is the reason why we lean towards United’s side. They are flamboyant at home, and regardless of Barca’s equally impressive results on the road, United is our pick here.
Pick: United 5/4 at BetXchange
Union Berlin VS Ajax
The hosts missed a chance to take over the top spot in the German Bundesliga, playing just 0-0 against Schalke this Sunday. It was Union’s second goalless draw in a row after six consecutive triumphs. This team is compact in the midfield and effective upfront, often netting at least two goals.
Meanwhile, Ajax has five wins in the past six events and looks much better than some three or four weeks ago. Back then, the Lancers struggled and weren’t that dominant. Yes, there were plenty of departures this year from Amsterdam Arena, but still, the four-time European champs always had a competitive team.
We pick two goals in the second half here. Both Union and Ajax increase the tempo of play as time goes by, and we can hardly imagine them having back-to-back inefficient contests. Our hunch tells us that two scores in the latter sequence are a bingo here.
Pick: Over 1.5 goals second half 5/4 at BetXchange
Monaco VS Bayer Leverkusen
Monaco is the team in the best form in France, and their recent results are impressive. Six wins and two draws in the recent eight meetings, with the note, that Monaco triumphed in the latest five events. The efficiency of this unit is at the highest possible level because they scored at least two times in all of these contests.
Bayer Leverkusen has one victory and four defeats over the latest five encounters. A terrible form of the back line presents a huge problem for this crew, as they recorded a single clean sheet in the last seven events, allowing three goals each in the latest two events.
Our pick for the game at Stade Louis II will be over 2.5 goals. Both teams play highly efficient football, with plenty of goals on both ends.
Pick: Over 2.5 goals 3/4 at BetXchange
Nantes VS Juventus
The first meeting in Turin saw a 1-1 draw, with a more or less dull performance from both sides. After that, Juve defeated Spezia on the road, 0-2, while Nantes lost in Lens, 3-1; the first high-scoring affair after seven consecutive with under 2.5 scores.
Juventus’ triumph in Spezia was the fourth in the previous five matches, and their form is going up. That’s why we believe in their victory in France. For sure, the hosts will put up a strong resistance, however, it’s time for Juve to show its potential.
Pick: Juventus 4/5 at BetXchange
