The UEFA Europa League quarterfinals are about to start, and BetXchange is here to deliver a preview of all four games. These are first meetings, so do have that on your mind when making any decision regarding betting.
Here is a look at the matches.
RB Leipzig VS Atalanta – Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
RB Leipzig received a bye into the quarterfinals after Spartak Moscow was kicked out of the competition. Atalanta progressed to this point by eliminating another German side in the Round of 16 when they took care of Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 on aggregate.
Leipzig looked great at the weekend as they dominated Borussia Dortmund on their way to a 4-1 win. That is in stark contrast to a disjointed-looking Atalanta team then went down 3-1 at home to Napoli in Serie A.
This should be a fun match between two teams that love to get the ball on the ground and play positive, attacking football. Leipzig just about shade the form guide as they are unbeaten in their last 10 matches and I like them to win by the odd goal at home here at 17/20 with BetXchange.
Eintracht Frankfurt VS Barcelona – Waldstadion, Frankfurt
It turns out the rumors of Barcelona’s demise were slightly exaggerated. Thanks to the work of Xavi as manager – and perhaps some creative accounting behind the scenes – Barca sits second in La Liga and has the best form in the league having won five on the spin.
Eintracht Frankfurt has also been in decent form, though not quite to the standard of their Spanish opponents. They have drawn their last three matches in all competitions and they are riding a streak of six contests without defeat.
Barcelona’s 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu as part of their recent run was a real show of intent for the rest of this season. La Liga is out of their reach, but this competition is one they want to win badly. Take the Spanish giants to win here.
West Ham United VS Lyon – London Stadium, London
West Ham looks to continue their European adventure and a run at European silverware with this match against French side Lyon. The Hammers beat Everton 2-1 at the weekend in the Premier League, but boss David Moyes knows his charges will have to step it up a level for this tie. They will be without the influential Manuel Lanzini through suspension.
Lyon has had a weird season and sits ninth in a Ligue 1 competition that isn’t particularly difficult week to week compared to the Premier League. They beat Angers at the weekend, but that is one of just two wins in their last six league games.
The Hammers have won four of five home league games at the London Stadium and they know they need a win here to give them something to defend in France. They will do enough to take a lead to the second leg at 11/10 with BetXchange.
Braga VS Rangers, Estadio Municipal, Braga
Rangers are coming into this one on the back of the worst result of their season. Their Old Firm defeat to Celtic leaves them six points behind their fierce city rivals with the season winding down and they need a result here to rejuvenate their campaign. They are a maddeningly inconsistent team, having won five of their last 10 matches.
Braga, on the other hand, has won 12 of 14 at home in the Primeira Liga and they have lost just once in their last nine in all competitions. They will also be buoyed by the fact Rangers have won just one time in five away trips in this competition this season. Take Braga to win or go with the draw if you think that the Celtic defeat will galvanize Rangers.
