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Europa League Odds & Best Bets Round of 16 Leg 1

Gary Gowers

by Gary Gowers in Soccer News

Updated Apr 8, 2020 · 7:08 PM PDT

The UEFA Europa League has reached the round-of-16 stage and this week sees the eight first-leg matches. We'll pick the three top games, preview them and look for the value bets.
  • This week sees the first legs of the UEFA Europa League’s round-of-16
  • Both English teams face very tricky away ties, in Austria and Greece respectively
  • Get the odds and best bets from this week’s UEL games below

The UEFA Europa League has reached the round-of-16 stage and this week sees the eight first-leg matches. We’ll pick the three top games, preview them and look for the value bets.

Europa League Round-of-16 Leg 1 Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
LASK Linz +0.5 (-134) +220 O 2.0, 2.5 (+100) +260
Manchester United -0.5 (+114) +114 U 2.0, 2.5 (-120) -350
Draw N/A +225 N/A N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
Sevilla -0.5 (+101) +101 O 2.0, 2.5 (-113) -110
AS Roma +0.5 (-121) +230 U 2.0, 2.5 (-107) -120
Draw N/A +240 N/A N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
Istanbul Basaksehir -0.5 (-125) -125 O 2.0, 2.5 (+100) -130
FC Copenhagen +0.5 (+105) +320 U 2.0, 2.5 (-120) +100
Draw N/A +245 N/A N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
Eintracht Frankfurt -0.5, -1.0 (-125) -164 O 2.5, 3.0 (-108) -215
Basel +0.5, +1.0 (+105) +380 U 2.5, 3.0 (-112) +175
Draw N/A +295 N/A N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
Wolfsburg PK -0.5 (-120) +115 O 2.5 (+100) +105
Shakhtar Donetsk PK +0.5 (+100) +230 U 2.5 (-120) -135
Draw N/A +220 N/A N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
Olympiakos PK +135 +197 O 2.0, 2.5 (+108) +190
Wolves PK -155 +136 U 2.0, 2.5 (-128) -240
Draw N/A +215 N/A N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
Rangers PK +0.5 (-108) +215 O 2.5, 3.0 (+110) +275
Bayer Leverkusen PK -0.5 (-112) +121 U 2.5, 3.0 (-130) -375
Draw N/A +220 N/A N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total Odds to Qualify
Inter Milan -0.5 (-108) -108 O 2.0, 2.5 (-101) -135
Getafe +0.5 (-112) +295 U 2.0, 2.5 (-119) +105
Draw N/A +215 N/A N/A

All odds taken Mar. 10

UEL Pick 1: LASK Linz vs Manchester United

LASK have been one of the surprise packages of the season, both on the domestic front and in the Europa League. They lead the Austrian Bundesliga – six points ahead of Red Bull Salzberg – and now have this mouthwatering clash with United to look forward to.

At the time of writing, rumors are circulating that the game in the Linzer Stadion will be played behind close doors due to the spread of the coronavirus, but regardless, it will be a difficult night for United with their Austrian opponents bursting full of belief and confidence.

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United, too, are in good shape and come into this off the back of a fine Manchester Derby win at the weekend, although LASK will look to their round-of-32 win over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar as evidence that they can mix it with sides who are expected to beat them. In United’s favor is experience. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad has been in this situation many times (not necessarily in an empty stadium) and won’t be daunted by the task.

So, expect a cautious one, with LASK wanting to stay in the tie ahead of their trip to Old Trafford, and on that basis, the value here is with the draw.

Pick: LASK and Man Utd to draw (+225)

UEL Pick 2: Olympiakos vs Wolves

Olympiakos were outstanding in the last round in eliminating Arsenal and will feel confident they can repeat the feat against more EPL opposition. The fact they have the home tie first, in the  Stadio Georgios Karaiskaki, will possibly work in their favor although it’s another that will be played behind closed doors, thus negating the impact of a hostile Athens crowd. But it does give them a  chance of still being in the tie going into the second leg.

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The Greeks head their domestic league and look well on course to be crowned champions, so will be unphased by the challenge of Wolves who, themselves, have been in a fine form in the second half of the campaign.

But, although they lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the first leg of their tie, Greek teams are traditionally strong at home. I see value here in the +197 for Olympiakos to take a first-leg lead to Molineux.

Pick: Olympiakos to win (+197)

UEL Pick 3: Rangers vs Bayer Leverkusen

Rangers’ chances of winning their first Scottish Premier League title for the first time since 2010/11 have all but disappeared, so Steven Gerrard’s team will be going all out to make the last eight of this competition.  And the Gers proved in the last round that they have what it takes to compete at this level with wins both home and away in their tie with Sporting Braga. This will have given them an enormous confidence boost.

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Bayer Leverkusen is, however, a higher quality opponent and are currently on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League.  They will offer Rangers their toughest challenge of the competition so far, but they will face a loud, boisterous and passionate Ibrox crowd.

So, while it’s hard to put together a water-tight case for Rangers winning over two legs, there looks distinct value in the +215 on offer for the home win. Gerrard will have them fired up for this one.

Pick: Rangers to win (+215)

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