Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today’s Europa League fixtures, including Napoli vs. Barcelona.
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Sevilla (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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Europa League specialists Sevilla will endeavour to march on to the last-16 of the competition when they meet Dinamo Zagreb in the second leg of their playoff tie on Thursday night.
Julen Lopetegui’s side arrive in Croatia with a healthy 3-1 lead from the first leg and aiming to keep their prospects of a domestic and European double alive.
We say: Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 Sevilla (Sevilla win 5-1 on aggregate)
It would be fair to say that Sevilla do not arrive in Croatia with the wind in their sails, as injuries, suspensions and a spate of draws take their toll on Lopetegui’s side domestically.
However, the Spanish giants needed no second invitation to stamp their authority on Dinamo Zagreb in the first leg and will expect to advance to the last-16 with ease in midweek.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Real Sociedad vs. RB Leipzig (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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Following a pulsating 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie, Real Sociedad and RB Leipzig renew hostilities in the second leg at the Anoeta Stadium on Thursday.
Christopher Nkunku and Emil Forsberg struck for the Bundesliga outfit in the first leg, while Robin Le Normand and Mikel Oyarzabal made the net ripple for this week’s hosts.
We say: Real Sociedad 1-3 RB Leipzig (Leipzig win 5-3 on aggregate)
Leipzig have been in free-scoring mode all season long, and that is unlikely to change against a Sociedad side whom they already have goalscoring experience against and who were humbled by Athletic at the weekend.
With nearly a fully-fit squad to select from and morale at its highest point, we cannot see any other result than a safe passage into the last-16 stage for Tedesco’s side.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Olympiacos vs. Atalanta (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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Greek champions Olympiacos will seek to make the most of home advantage on Thursday evening, as they host Atalanta BC in the decisive second leg of their Europa League playoff round tie.
The teams reconvene at Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis after an unlikely double from defender Berat Djimsiti earned the Italian club a 2-1 victory in Bergamo, where an out-of-sorts La Dea fought back from behind.
We say: Olympiacos 2-2 Atalanta BC (Atalanta BC win 4-3 on aggregate)
Just weeks ago, Atalanta would be strong favourites to kill off this tie in Europe’s second-tier tournament, but confidence has dipped in the camp and the perennial overachievers have lost direction since the turn of the year.
Even with some important men missing, the greater individual quality of their squad should see La Dea through against an Olympiacos side used to winning each week – but only by the narrowest of margins.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Lazio vs. Porto (Thursday, 5.45pm)
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Following their first leg triumph in Portugal last week, Porto travel to Rome, where they look to complete a Europa League playoff round victory over Lazio on Thursday evening.
The hosts let a precious lead slip and trail by a goal before battle recommences at Stadio Olimpico, so hope to have their star striker back in action against the Primeira Liga leaders.
We say: Lazio 1-1 Porto (Porto win 3-2 on aggregate)
With history certainly on their side – Porto have won 35 of 43 European ties after securing a first-leg advantage at home – the visitors should make it through to the last 16.
Lazio are primarily focused on their push for a top four finish in Serie A, and with some selection issues up front they may not be able to finish off a side full of confidence thanks to recent results.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 1.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Napoli vs. Barcelona (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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With the tie delicately poised following a 1-1 first-leg draw at Camp Nou, Napoli welcome Barcelona to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the second leg of their Europa League playoff battle on Thursday evening.
Luciano Spalletti’s side were on course for a famous Catalan win after Piotr Zielinski’s opener before Ferran Torres responded from the spot in the first leg.
We say: Napoli 1-2 Barcelona (Barcelona win 3-2 on aggregate)
Even with their ongoing injury issues in the final third, Napoli can trouble and breach this shaky Barcelona backline on their own turf, but any hopes of advancing to the last-16 may be a little far-fetched.
Another European departure would be nothing short of disastrous for Barcelona, but Xavi’s bountiful options in attack should help their side get the job done in the second leg.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
> How Barcelona could line up against Napoli
> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Napoli
Real Betis vs. Zenit (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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On Thursday, Zenit St Petersburg will travel to the Estadio Benito Villamarin to face Real Betis in the second leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff tie.
The hosts have the upper hand following the first leg after winning 3-2 in St Petersburg last Thursday.
We say: Real Betis 2-1 Zenit St Petersburg
Real Betis have been finding the net with ease of late, having scored 23 goals in their previous eight games in all competitions, and with Zenit pressing for victory on Thursday, we expect Real Betis to take advantage of any gaps left in the defence to claim a narrow win.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Rangers vs. Dortmund (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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After securing a memorable 4-2 victory in the first leg, Rangers will welcome Borussia Dortmund to Ibrox on Thursday night for their eagerly-anticipated second-leg encounter in the Europa League playoff round.
The Gers currently boast a two-goal advantage, but they will be wary of the threat the visitors are likely to pose, as the Germans head to Glasgow off the back of a 6-0 victory in the Bundesliga against Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend.
We say: Rangers 1-2 Borussia Dortmund (Rangers to win 5-4 on aggregate)
Dortmund will be fired up for Thursday’s second leg and if Haaland is available then the visitors are sure to pose a threat in the final third.
The visitors may do enough to win on the night, but we are predicting Rangers to edge through to the last 16 on aggregate in front of a raucous Ibrox crowd.
Our tipster partners are predicting over 2.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Braga vs. Sheriff Tiraspol (Thursday, 8.00pm)
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Braga head into the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie with Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday evening needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit.
Goals at the end of each half gave the Moldovan outfit another famous win during an historic European campaign, and they will fancy their chances of breaking further ground at Estadio Municipal de Braga.
We say: Braga 2-1 Sheriff Tiraspol
With home advantage in their favour, it feels reasonable to back Braga to edge this contest. However, with 90 minutes now in their legs, we are backing Sheriff to net the goal that may put this tie beyond the reach of their higher-profile opponents.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
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