Football
Europa League and Conference League 2nd leg preview: Italy set out to dominate Europe again
The second leg of both the Europa League and Europa Conference League semi-finals take place on Thursday this week, with some current and former European giants look to secure their place in this year’s finals.
We preview all four games below.
Sevilla v Juventus (1-1) – Thursday 20:00
The first leg of this tie failed to split the two teams, making for an even more enticing second leg on Thursday evening. In the first game Sevilla took the lead in the first half of what was a relatively even fixture, and Juventus left it late with substitute defender Federico Gatti netting the equalizer in the seventh minute of added time.
Sevilla will be confident having secured a draw at the home of one of Europe’s giants, with the Spanish side also having one league game since the first leg which they won 3-0 away from home, an added confidence boost. They head into the second leg as 8/11 favourites to win the tie, and in front of their own fans they will be expected to perform.
Juventus, contrary to their status as one of the most successful clubs in Europe, are the underdogs for the second leg at Evens to progress to the final. The Italian giants have failed to live up to their high standards in recent years and sit 14 points behind the Serie A champions Napoli.
After finding the back of the net in the first leg, Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri is favourite to score again at 2/1. Star striker Dusan Vlahovic looks likeliest to score for Juventus with the Serbian forward 5/2 to score anytime.
Bayer Leverkusen v Roma (0-1) – Thursday 20:00
Jose Mourinho’s Roma side take a 1-0 lead into the second leg with youngster Edoardo Bove scoring just his second goal of the season to give the Italian side the advantage.
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side have not had their finest season as the sit seventh in the Bundesliga. However, they have already overcome the likes of AS Monaco in the Europa League this season and the German side are 21/20 favourites to win the second leg, but given Roma’s first leg advantage, Leverkusen remain the underdogs to make the final at 6/4.
Roma’s 1-0 advantage, as well as the stewardship of serial winner Jose Mourinho, makes them 1/2 favourites to progress to the final. The Italian side’s away form in the Europa League has not been anything to shout about, failing to win any of their three away games in the knockout stages, seeing them head into this game at 27/10 to win the match.
Check out all the latest betting offers at William Hill
AZ Alkmaar v West Ham (1-2) – Thursday 20:00
In the only tie which doesn’t feature an Italian side, West Ham travel to Alkmaar with a 2-1 lead in hand following their victory in the first leg at the London Stadium.
The Hammers will be hoping to avenge last season’s European shortcomings when they were eliminated at this stage in the Europa League last season. David Moyes’ side bring a one goal advantage into the second leg, and as 3/10 favourites they will expect to reach the final.
AZ Alkmaar have surpassed many people expectations of them in this competition beating the likes of Lazio in the earlier rounds. The Dutch side are 8/5 to win the second leg at their home ground, but being a goal down heading into the fixture they are 12/5 underdogs to make it past the semi-final stage.
Both sides have had standout players in the Conference League this season. With Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis having five goals to his name so far he looks the most likely to find the back of the net for Alkmaar at 21/10. Michail Antonio is West Ham’s top scorer in the competition with six goals so far and the powerful forward is 29/10 to add to his tally.
FC Basel v Fiorentina (2-1) – Thursday 20:00
Basel, who sit sixth in the Swiss League, pulled off one of the shock results of the tournament so far as they beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the first leg. The Swiss side’s league struggles have not been reflected in their European form and they are favourites to reach the final from this tie at 4/6.
Fiorentina have had an average season in Serie A but have been standout performers in the Conference League with convincing wins in their previous knockout ties. The Italian side are 7/10 to win the second leg, but with a one goal deficit they are the underdogs at 11/10 to reach the final.
Fiorentina’s knockout ties have been some of the most exciting with lots of goals being scoored and at 13/8 Over 3.5 match goals looks to be an intriguing punt, as well as Both teams to score at 7/10.
