The second legs of four Europa League Quarter Final matches take place on Thursday and our focus is on Manchester United v Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt v Spurs
Match result prices quoted from Sportingbet are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
Manchester United 15/20 Draw 3/1 Lyon 32/10
Last week's first leg in Lyon finished 2-2. Lyon took the lead through Almada and Yoro squared things up just before the half time whistle. The next didn't arrive until the 88th minute when Zirkzee put United ahead only for Cherki to pop up deep into injury time to make it 2-2.
United came through their Ro16 clash with Real Socieded with a 5-2 aggregate win. The first leg in Spain finished all square at 1-1 and a Bruno Fernandes hat trick (including 2 pens) saw United through. United were unbeaten in the league phase, drawing their first 3 matches but winning each of the next 5.
In the EPL United were thumped 4-1 at Newcastle on Sunday and they are 14th in standings with the Europa League their only hope of a trophy this season.
Lyon cruised through to the quarter finals with a 7-1 aggregate win over FCSB of Romania. They won the first leg 3-1 away from home and followed up with a 4-0 victory, Fofana scored twice in the first leg and Nuamah bagged a brace in the second. In the league phase Lyon qualified automatically with a record of 4 wins, 3 draws and just the 1 defeat.
In Ligue 1 Lyon are currently fourth only 2 points behind second placed Monaco with PSG already having secured the French title.
The Verdict
United keeper Onana was at fault for both Lyon goals in the first leg and was dropped for the weekend defeat at Newcastle and Zirkzee picked up a nasty looking injury in that game. The team news could be worth monitoring and although I see scope for goals United could be a short in the match result betting.
Working on the assumption that Zirkzee will be absent all roads lead to Bruno Fernandes to find the net for United
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Bruno Fernandes 1.65/1 with Sportingbet
Eintracht Frankfurt 13/10 Draw 27/10 Spurs 18/10
This tie is also all square after a 1-1 draw in London a week ago. Hugo Ekitike gave Frankfurt the lead on 6 minutes and Pedro-Porro equalized before half time. Spurs were denied by an inspired goalkeeping performance and the woodwork but there was to be no further scoring.
Frankfurt won the first leg of their Ro16 clash with Ajax 2-1 in Amsterdam and finished the job with a 4-1 home win. They won 5, drew 1 and lost 2 of their league phase matches with both defeats coming away from home (at Lyon and Roma) in the later rounds.
In the Bundesliga Frankfurt are in third place although the gap to second placed Leverkusen stands at 12 points with leaders Bayern a further 6 points better off.
After losing the first leg of their Ro16 clash away to AZ Alkmaar, Spurs turned things around with a 3-1 in on the night to go through 3-2 on aggregate. Spurs had qualified for the knockout rounds automatically with a record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.
In the EPL Spurs crashed to a 4-2 defeat at Wolves at the weekend and they 15th in the standings so this competition is the only opportunity to rescue what has been a poor season.
The Verdict
Spurs had the better of the first leg but now do the travelling and this looks a tricky result to call. It ought to be lively and I see the scope for cards and Cristian Romero is my choice to pick up one of them.
Bets: To be shown a card, Cristian Romero at 1.45/1 with Sportingbet
Note, prices quoted are subject to change
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