Europa League

Thursday's Europa League predictions including Lyon vs. West Ham United

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 14 April 2022

Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today's Europa League fixtures, including Lyon vs. West Ham United.

Atalanta vs. RB Leipzig (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Atalanta's Luis Muriel celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 7, 2022 © Reuters

With their Europa League tie finely balanced following last week's first leg, Atalanta BC and RB Leipzig reconvene in Bergamo on Thursday evening.

The opening game of the sides' quarter-final clash produced a 1-1 draw in Germany, and while the Bundesliga club continued their recent revival at the weekend, their hosts continue to stumble in Serie A - losing a second successive game to slip down to eighth.

We say: Atalanta BC 1-2 RB Leipzig (Leipzig win 3-2 on aggregate)

Atalanta's worst run over a period of 14 league matches since 2016 has been brought about by a declining goal rate in 2022; scoring at just over one per game, their best attacking displays have been saved for Europe.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Barcelona vs. Frankfurt (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Barcelona's Pedri celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 3, 2022 © Reuters

Having failed to capitalise on numerous chances to kill the game off in the first leg, Eintracht Frankfurt travel to Camp Nou to face Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.

The two outfits played out an entertaining 1-1 at the Deutsche Bank Park last week and are vying for the chance to meet either West Ham United or Lyon in the semi-finals.

We say: Barcelona 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt (Barcelona win 4-2 on aggregate)

In spite of their dissatisfactory winless run, Frankfurt caused the Barcelona defence all sorts of problems in the first leg and should have no problem doing so again with a number of Xavi's defensive regulars absent for one reason or the other.

Keeping the ball away from their own goal at Camp Nou will be the ultimate test for Frankfurt, and given Barcelona's recent spate of dominance at home and well-stocked attacking options, the Catalans should book their place in the final four with minimal fuss.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Barcelona could line up against Frankfurt

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Frankfurt

Lyon vs. West Ham (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Lyon's Tanguy Ndombele celebrates scoring their first goal on April 7, 2022 © Reuters

With the tie delicately poised following a 1-1 draw in London, Lyon play host to West Ham United in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday night.

Either Barcelona or Eintracht Frankfurt awaits the winner in the final four, and the first leg was not without a healthy dose of controversy.

We say: Lyon 2-2 West Ham United (a.e.t - Lyon to win on penalties)

This is an extremely difficult second leg to call, with Lyon's thin midfield there to be carved open by West Ham's attackers, but Moyes hardly has his first-choice backline available either.

Goals could be on the menu between two sides who boast plenty of talent in the final third, and we simply cannot separate the two outfits over the course of 90 or 120 minutes - ultimately backing Bosz's side to hold their nerve from 12 yards to make it through.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

Rangers vs. Braga (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Rangers play host to Braga in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday night looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

At a time when the home side are six points off top spot in the Scottish Premiership, Braga are close to cementing fourth position in Primeira Liga.

We say: Rangers 1-1 Braga (Braga to win 2-1 on aggregate)

Rangers showed at the weekend that they can be ruthless when they want to be, and that same mentality needs to be on show on Thursday. Nevertheless, Braga provide much sterner opposition, and we feel that the visitors will do just enough to claim a draw at Ibrox, ensuring their progress through to the semi-finals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match