UEFA Europa League – Round of 16 First Legs – Best Bets, Odds, Picks & Predictions

The Europa League Round of 16 kicks off this week as all eight first-leg ties take place on Thursday. I have found three games with excellent value betting opportunities for us to take advantage of. 

Here are this week’s best Europa League bets. 

Istanbul Basaksehir vs. FC Copenhagen – 3/12/20 

Istanbul Basaksehir have been scoring goals for fun lately and have netted over 2.5 goals in each of their previous three outings. After thumping Sporting 4-1 in the second leg of their Round of 32 clash, Basaksehir have since put three past Gaziantep and Gizpete in the Turkish Super Lig. Meanwhile, Copenhagen have hit a bit of a slump recently and come into this game on the back of consecutive domestic defeats.  Four of Basaksehir’s previous five outings in all competitions have produced over 2.5 goals, so I’m backing the Turkish side to claim another high-scoring victory on Thursday. 

Pick: Istanbul Basaksehir to Win and Over 2.5 Goals – 3.20 

LASK vs. Manchester United – 3/12/20 

Manchester United appears to have turned a corner over the past couple of months and the Red Devils have kept a whopping eight clean sheets in their previous ten games in all competitions. In fact, Man Utd are on a ten-game unbeaten run and will be brimming with confidence after beating bitter rivals Manchester City on Sunday. LASK are also doing well at the moment, but I can see the Europa League newcomers struggling against one of the continent’s top clubs. The Austrian Bundesliga is one of the least competitive top flights in Europe, so LASK rarely come up against top-class opponents. Another clean sheet is on the cards for Man Utd. 

Pick: Manchester United to Keep a Clean Sheet – 2.50 

Rangers vs. Bayer Leverkusen – 3/12/20 

Bayer Leverkusen dropped down from the Champions League earlier in the season and the German club are now one of the bookies’ favorites to go all the way in the Europa League. But Rangers have shown great determination and spirit to reach this stage of the competition, so Bayer won’t be taking the Scottish club lightly. However, Leverkusen are missing several important players through injury at the moment. On the other hand, Rangers have the home advantage in the first leg. For that reason, I can see both teams scoring on Thursday. 

Pick: Both Teams to Score – 1.70