Nothing is decided yet after the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals first leg matches, although Arsenal has a huge 4-1 advantage over CSKA Moscow, while Atletico Madrid will defend a 2-0 lead against Sporting in Lisbon. Lazio travels to Salzburg after a 4-2 victory on the home soil, and Marseille hosts RB Leipzig after a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first game in Germany, so excitements are guaranteed in the second leg matches set for this Thursday, April 12th, 2018.
CSKA MOSCOW vs. ARSENAL
3-Way: 1: CSKA Moscow +260; X: +275 Draw; 2: Arsenal +105 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: CSKA Moscow -115; Arsenal +100
Total +3: Over +110; Under -130
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- CSKA Moscow lost the first leg on the road 4-1
- CSKA Moscow lost two consecutive home games in the Europa League
- CSKA Moscow scored in each of their last five games overall
- Arsenal won six matches in a row in all competitions
- Arsenal lost three out of their previous five away games, along with two wins
The Gunners were a dominant force in the first leg on the home soil, completely outplaying the Horses, and scoring all four goals in the first 45 minutes of the match. Arsenal had a ball on their feet for 55% of the time, successfully controlling the midfield and taking 18 shots toward Igor Akinfeev’s net, while their frontline was way too much for CSKA Moscow’s old and sluggish defense.
The Horses will need a three-goal margin victory if they want to qualify for the next round, but they will have to change something at their defensive line or the fans will see another demolition job by the Gunners, this time at VEB Arena in Moscow. CSKA Moscow had some great opportunities in the first leg, failing to score more goals due to a quite poor finishing job. Although the visitors can sit back here and wait for their chances, I believe they will find the back of the net on the counter.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (+110)
MARSEILLE vs. RB LEIPZIG
3-Way: 1: Marseille +130; X: +260 Draw; 2: RB Leipzig +200 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Marseille -140; RB Leipzig +120
Total +3: Over +110; Under -130
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- Marseille lost the first leg on the road 1-0
- Marseille failed to score in two games in a row
- Marseille has a 2-2-1 record with a 7:5 goal difference in their last five home matches
- RB Leipzig lost just one out of their last eight games overall
- RB Leipzig has a 2-2-1 record with an 8:6 goal difference in their previous five away games
In the first leg at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig the football fans saw a great battle between two pretty equal teams, and while both sides had their chances to score, only Timo Werner managed to find the back of the net in the dying moments of the first half. In the second 45 minutes, the Olympians had a couple of terrific scoring opportunities to level the match, but Lucas Ocampos and Dmitri Payet were both imprecise.
For the second leg match, Marseille will be without goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and the defender Adil Rami, but I think they can make it up in front of the home fans, and find the way through to the Europa League Semi-Finals.
MY PICK: Marseille to Win (+130)
SALZBURG vs. LAZIO
3-Way: 1: Salzburg +125; X: +265 Draw; 2: Lazio +215 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Salzburg +125; Lazio -140
Total +3: Over -105; Under -110
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- Salzburg lost the first leg on the road 4-2
- Salzburg lost two games in a row after 35 consecutive matches without defeat
- Salzburg kept the clean sheet in five straight home games in all competitions
- Lazio is unbeaten for seven games in a row overall
- Lazio scored 12 goals in their previous three matches
The first leg at Stadio Olimpico in Rome was a pure spectacle, as the fans saw six goals and a plenty of chances on both sides of the field, so the second leg at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg should bring more of the same. Both Salzburg and Lazio prefers an attacking football, and while the visitors can sit back, the hosts will have to push forward, as they need a two-goal margin victory to proceed to the Europa League Semi-Finals.
Hereof, I think we will see at least three goals on the scoreboard here, particularly because Salzburg didn’t allow a single goal in their previous five home games, while Lazio is quite efficient on the road this season.
MY PICK: Over 3 Goals (-105)
SPORTING vs. ATLETICO MADRID
3-Way: 1: Sporting +380; X: +235 Draw; 2: Atletico Madrid -115 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Sporting +100; Atletico Madrid -115
Total +2: Over -120; Under +100
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- Sporting lost the first leg on the road 2-0
- Sporting lost three out of their last five games overall
- Sporting won four straight matches on the home soil without conceding
- Atletico Madrid won four matches in a row in the Europa League
- Atletico Madrid has a 2-1-2 record with a 12:7 goal difference in their last five away games
Atleti are still the biggest favorites to win the UEFA Europa League, and after a convincing 2-0 victory Sporting in the first leg at home, it seems like they just need to finish the job at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon this Thursday. However, the Lions were excellent on the home soil throughout the season, and if they somehow manage to score first, this clash could become pretty interesting.
The hosts need a two-goal margin victory along with a clean sheet to eliminate Atletico Madrid, but if the visitors find the net, the Lions will need to score four goals, and that sounds like an impossible mission against tough Atleti’s defense.
MY PICK: Over 2 Goals (-120)
