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Thursday's Europa League predictions including Real Sociedad vs. Man United

Sports Mole provides score predictions for all of Thursday's Europa League fixtures, including Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United.


Wolfsberger vs. Spurs (Thursday, 5.55pm)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho pictured on February 13, 2021© Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League campaign resumes on Thursday evening with the first leg of their last-32 tie against Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger.

The match will be played at the Puskas Arena in Budapest due to coronavirus restrictions, while the second leg is still due to go ahead in North London next week.

We say: Wolfsberger 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur


Even accounting for Tottenham's poor form and the changes Mourinho is likely to make, the Premier League side are still huge favourites to advance from this last-32 tie.

Mourinho has won each of his last 12 knockout ties in the UEFA Cup/Europa League and has not lost an away knockout match in the competition since 2002, which is a run we expect to continue on Thursday.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Tottenham could line up against Wolfsberger

> Tottenham injury, suspension list vs. Wolfsberger


Dynamo Kiev vs. Brugge (Thursday, 5.55pm)

Dynamo Kiev's Viktor Tsyhankov celebrates scoring against Barcelona on November 4, 2020© Reuters

Dynamo Kiev and Club Brugge return to continental action on Thursday evening with a last-32 fixture in the Europa League.

Both clubs finished in third position in their Champions League groups before Christmas, giving them a second shot at going deep in a European competition this season.

We say: Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Club Brugge


Brugge were far the more impressive in Europe before Christmas and they deserve plenty of respect ahead of the trip to Ukraine. Nevertheless, home advantage is still going to play a part, leading us to predict a low-scoring draw being played out in Kiev.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Real Sociedad vs. Man Utd (Thursday, 5.55pm)

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pictured in February 2021© Reuters

Having disappointingly dropped down from the Champions League, Manchester United will now aim for a shot at glory in the Europa League, and their first test is a last-32 first-leg clash with Spanish giants Real Sociedad.

This tie will be played in Turin due to coronavirus travel restrictions, and Sociedad head into this game having finished second in Group F behind Napoli.

We say: Real Sociedad 2-2 Manchester United


Not only have Sociedad finally returned to winning ways, but the quicker-than-expected return of Oyarzabal will have the hosts brimming with confidence ahead of this tie. The away goals rule is still in play despite the use of a neutral venue, so United may opt to employ a gung-ho approach to give themselves the best chance possible of advancing, but we expect Sociedad to take advantage of the Red Devils' frailties and salvage a draw in the first leg.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Man United could line up against Real Sociedad

> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Sociedad


Red Star vs. AC Milan (Thursday, 5.55pm)

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring against Crotone in Serie A on February 7, 2021© Reuters

Two former European champions clash in the Europa League last-32 on Thursday, as Serbian title holders Red Star Belgrade host Serie A giants AC Milan at Stadion Rajko Mitic.

Dejan Stankovic's home side qualified for the knockout stage as runners-up in Group L, while Milan took top spot in a tricky section with victory over Sparta Prague on the final matchday.

We say: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 AC Milan


With at least half an eye straying towards domestic matters at the weekend, Milan could come unstuck against well-rested and highly confident opponents in midweek.

The resolute Red Star defence has every chance of keeping the Rossoneri's cast of attacking talent at bay, maintaining at least an outside shot of progress in next week's return.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Slavia Prague vs. Leicester (Thursday, 5.55pm)

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers pictured in February 2021© Reuters

Leicester City take a break from their Premier League title challenge with a Europa League last-32 tie against Slavia Prague on Thursday night.

While the Foxes occupy third position in England's top flight, Slavia are 10 points clear in the Czech Liga, dropping just six points in 19 matches.

We say: Slavia Prague 1-2 Leicester City


Despite having to contend with a number of selection issues, Rodgers will name a strong team in the Czech Republic. While we do not expect the Foxes to have it all their own way, they should be capable of edging their way to an important victory ahead of the return leg.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Braga vs. Roma (Thursday, 5.55pm)

Braga's Paulinho celebrates scoring against Leicester City in the Europa League on November 26, 2020© Reuters

Meeting for the first time in European competition, Braga take on a Roma side led by their former coach at Estadio Municipal de Braga on Thursday.

Both clubs impressed in progressing through the Europa League group stage, with Carlos Carvalhal's men finishing runners-up to Leicester City and his old friend Paulo Fonseca's team topping Group A.

We say: Braga 2-2 Roma


An immediately attractive match-up on paper, this clash of two like-minded coaches - albeit in charge of clubs at different ends of the European food chain - should not fail to deliver.

Roma's depth of attacking talent, allied to the hosts' home record - as strong as the granite into which their ground is carved - means that goals are near-guaranteed, with the promise of a second helping next week at the Olimpico.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Krasnodar vs. Dinamo Zagreb (Thursday, 5.55pm)

Krasnodar's Marcus Berg celebrates with teammates after scoring against Sevilla on November 4, 2020© Reuters

The last remaining Russian side faces the only Croatian outfit as FC Krasnodar host Dinamo Zagreb in the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday night for the first time in their history.

Krasnodar have won each of their last four home matches without conceding a goal, while Zagreb are unbeaten in their last seven away encounters.

We say: FC Krasnodar 1-1 Dinamo Zagreb


Both Krasnodar and Zagreb have struggled to progress to the latter stages of European competitions once they get past the group stage and so both sides will be hoping to keep this tie alive and take a positive result into the second leg.

With little to separate the two teams, we can see a draw being played out on Thursday night in what is expected to be a close encounter.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Young Boys vs. B. Leverkusen (Thursday, 5.55pm)

Bayer Leverkusen's Lucas Alario reacts on January 23, 2021© Reuters

Young Boys take on Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 knockout-stage tie at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern on Thursday evening.

Leverkusen progressed as winners of Group C, with their forthcoming Swiss opponents finishing second in Group A.

We say: Young Boys 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen


Without their top goalscorer Nsame, it is tough to envisage Young Boys having enough quality to overcome Leverkusen.

The visitors may lack consistency, but firepower is not something they are short of, with Bailey in particular enjoying himself in this competition this season as he looks to add to his five goals in the group stages.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Olympiacos vs. PSV (Thursday, 5.55pm)

PSV Eindhoven head coach Roger Schmidt pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Olympiacos play host to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League last 32 on Thursday evening having struggled in the Champions League before Christmas.

Meanwhile, PSV have progressed through to this stage of the competition courtesy of topping a group which included Granada and fellow Greek side PAOK.

We say: Olympiacos 1-2 PSV Eindhoven


After their poor European form during the first half of the campaign, Olympiacos will be motivated to go deep in this competition. However, PSV may have too much quality in attack, putting them in a position to net important away goals ahead of the second leg.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Benfica vs. Arsenal (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring against Leeds United in the Premier League on February 14, 2021© Reuters

Two European giants aiming to maintain their unbeaten records in the 2020-21 Europa League do battle at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Thursday as Benfica play Arsenal in their 'home' leg.

The Portuguese outfit qualified from Group D as runners-up to set up a last-32 tie with Arsenal, who swept aside the competition in Group B to progress in first place.

We say: Benfica 1-2 Arsenal


Arsenal are incredibly difficult to predict at the moment, but so long as they manage to keep 11 men on the pitch and get their young guns firing on all cylinders, they have a strong chance of advancing to the next round. Benfica have also flattered to deceive in the league but are capable of making it a challenging evening for the Gunners, although we still expect Arsenal to take a narrow advantage into next week's second leg in Greece.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Arsenal could line up against Benfica

> Arsenal injury, suspension list vs. Benfica


Antwerp vs. Rangers (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Rangers celebrate Scott Arfield's goal against Standard Liege in the Europa League on December 3, 2020© Reuters

Rangers travel to Royal Antwerp for their Europa League round of 32 tie on Thursday evening, hoping to extend their unbeaten run to 13 matches in all competitions and move one step closer to progressing to the latter stages.

Meanwhile, the hosts are taking part in their first European knockout match in 27 years and are looking to cause an upset against Scotland's in-form side.

We say: Royal Antwerp 0-1 Rangers


Rangers have scored a solitary goal in five of their last six matches and may find it tough against a compact Royal Antwerp side who will make it difficult to break them down.

However, the Gers should have enough quality in the final third to take a narrow lead into their second leg at Ibrox next week.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Salzburg vs. Villarreal (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Villarreal manager Unai Emery pictured in December 2020© Reuters

The Europa League knockout stage kicks off on Thursday, with Red Bull Salzburg welcoming Villarreal to the Red Bull Arena in the first leg of an intriguing round-of-32 tie.

The visitors eased through the group stage, dropping just two points, while the Austrian side dropped out of the Champions League, finishing third in their group, resulting in a place in the final 32 of the Europa League.

We say: Red Bull Salzburg 2-2 Villarreal


We see this game being a very open and exciting encounter, as two good attacking sides square off at the Red Bull Arena, with neither team coming out on top in this first leg.

While Alcacer and Moreno could have a field day against a weakened Salzburg defence, the attacking threat of Marsch's team, led by the exciting Daka, will cause Villarreal plenty of problems of their own.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Molde vs. Hoffenheim (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeness pictured on January 9, 2021© Reuters

Molde take on Hoffenheim in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League knockout tie at Estadio de la Ceramica in Villarreal on Thursday evening.

The match had to be moved from Aker Stadion in Molde due to German restrictions preventing travel to or from countries where any new variants of COVID-19 are currently known to be present.

We say: Molde 1-1 Hoffenheim


Given the extent of their injury issues, we would expect Hoffenheim to be content with a score draw to take home with them.

Molde may prove to be rusty or revitalised after a two-month gap since their last competitive fixture, but either way Moe's side should be the more energetic outfit and it would be no surprise to see them inflict a minor upset.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Granada vs. Napoli (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Napoli players celebrate scoring against Udinese on January 10, 2021© Reuters

Having successfully negotiated their first-ever group stage campaign before the turn of the year, European debutants Granada meet Italian heavyweights Napoli in the Europa League last-32 on Thursday.

The Spanish club were runners-up to PSV Eindhoven in the competition's opening phase, while their illustrious visitors were taken to the final matchday before assuring a place in the knockout phase as winners of Group F.

We say: Granada 1-2 Napoli


Despite troubles with injuries to integral members of their defence and attack, Napoli can come away from a city, which - like their own - has a rich and diverse history, with a first-leg lead.

Boosted by a spirit-lifting triumph over old foes Juventus, the Partenopei should be capable of breaching Granada's inconsistent defence at least once and can set up a favourable platform for the return encounter next week.

Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Shakhtar (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Shakhtar Donetsk's Alan Patrick celebrates with teammates after scoring against Basel on August 11, 2020© Reuters

Israeli outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv entertain Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League round of 32 on Thursday evening, as both teams look to take an advantage into the second leg.

The hosts finished second in Group I to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition, while the Ukrainian champions dropped down from the Champions League after narrowly missing out on a place in the top two of Group B.

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk


Shakhtar will be the favourites coming into this two-legged tie, but Maccabi are have been in impressive form of late and will fancy their chances in midweek. The Ukrainians played their first competitive fixture in two months on Sunday, and their lack of action could result in a shock victory for the hosts.

Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Lille vs. Ajax (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Yusuf Yazici celebrates with Lille teammates after scoring against AC Milan on November 5, 2020© Reuters

The Ligue 1 leaders take on the Eredivisie leaders in a mouthwatering Europa League showdown on Thursday as Lille welcome Ajax to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy for the first leg of their last-32 tie.

Christophe Galtier's men qualified for the knockout stages as runners-up in Group H, whereas Ajax dropped down from the Champions League after finishing third in their group.

We say: Lille 1-0 Ajax


Ajax have notched up at least two goals in their last five matches, but it remains to be seen how they will cope on the attacking front in the absence of the prolific Haller. Lille's resilient defence should welcome back an inspired Botman, who will be motivated to get one over his old club, and with star man Yazici back in the final third, we can see Les Dogues taking a narrow advantage into next week's second leg.

Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

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