Europa League talking points: Will Atletico and Arsenal get the job done?
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Are Lazio one to keep an eye on?
The Europa League’s getting serious now. The quarter-finals start tonight, which means the eight clubs involved are only four games away from the final in Lyon.
All four ties kick-off at 8:05pm and before they get going, the Coral News Team are here with the big talking point from each of them…
Can Arsenal make home advantage count?
Arsenal’s hopes of finishing in the top four are all but over. If they don’t win the Europa League, they won’t be in the Champions League next season.
They’ve been handed a favourable draw against CSKA Moscow on paper, but the long trip to Russia could make the away tie a real struggle.
The Gunners will want to get this one wrapped up at the Emirates. They’re 3/10 to win and will be boosted by Alexandre Lacazette’s return to fitness.
How will Atletico cope with being favourites?
Atletico Madrid have relished being the underdog during Diego Simeone’s time in charge. Bigger, richer clubs always find it tough against their organisation, aggression and resilience.
But Atletico are the 11/8 favourites to win the Europa League now. Teams will sit back against them, forcing Simeone’s side to play more a more open game than they’re used to.
How will they adapt? They’re 2/7 to beat Sporting Lisbon tonight.
Are Lazio the dark horse?
Lazio are 8/1 third-favourites to go all the way in the competition. They’re 8/11 to earn a first-leg lead against Red Bull Salzburg at home tonight.
The Serie A side have an exciting young manager in Simone Inzaghi. They’ve got real quality in Ciro Immobile, Felipe Anderson and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic too.
If they make it into the semi-finals and avoid Atletico or Arsenal, things could open up nicely for Lazio.
Is Timo Werner the key man for Leipzig?
RB Leizpig and Marseille are both locked in tight races for Champions League qualification in their respective leagues. This should be a tense match between two exciting sides.
But Timo Werner could make the difference. The Leipzig striker’s pace can cause problems for any defence. He’s scored in all but one of the Bundesliga side’s European wins this term.
Werner is 7/2 to score first tonight. Marseille will need to keep him quiet if they’re going to progress.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
