Europa League Picks — Predictions for Playoff Round (Feb 13)

The race for a place in the knockout round proper continues in the Europa League on Thursday, Feb 13, as the playoff round gets underway. You can find our Europa League picks for every first leg encounter here.

Europa League Picks

Union Saint-Gilloise vs. Ajax

A first ever meeting between Union Saint-Gilloise and Ajax is set for this week at King Baudouin Stadium. Union have only come up against Dutch opposition on one previous occasion, beating Twente on MD5 this season.

Ajax have avoided defeat in their last five matches against teams from Belgium, winning on two occasions. However, the Dutch giants have recorded just one win in their last ten major knockout matches in Europe.

Despite that, Ajax look to be among the standout Europa League picks this week, as Union haven’t won a first leg of a major European tie since April 1959.

Ferencvaros vs. Viktoria Plzen

A first meeting between Viktoria Plzen and Ferencvaros is set for this week. It is also the first time that the visiting side will come up against a team from Hungary.

The trend of goals could be worth following when making picks this week. Viktoria have failed to score in each of their last five knockout matches in Europe, despite registering 32 shots across that period.

Therefore, the home win looks like a solid chance. The chances of that are improved based on the fact that Ferencvaros have scored four goals in three of their last five matches in the Europa League.

Midtjylland vs. Real Sociedad

Danish clubs have a poor record when coming up against teams from Spain, winning just two of the last 24 meetings. Over that period, Spanish clubs have won a staggering 14 matches.

Real Sociedad’s record in the knockout stage is a slight concern, as they haven’t won any of their last 13 across major European competitions. Therefore, a draw could be an interesting selection in Denmark this week.

Fenerbahce vs. Anderlecht

Fenerbahce are unbeaten in their two previous matches against Anderlecht, winning 2-0 at home in the 2018-19 Europa League group stage. Anderlecht have failed to score on their last three visits to their opponents this week.

The Belgian side have suffered defeats in their last two matches in the competition, meaning that the slight edge is given to the home team on Thursday.

PAOK vs. FCSB

FCSB recorded a 1-0 win in Greece on MD2 in the Europa League this season. It should also be noted that PAOK have never won a European knockout fixture in eight previous attempts. Over that period, they have failed to score on six occasions.

FCSB may have lost their last six away knockout ties, but it could be worth siding with the Romanians to amend that record in their current form this season.

Porto vs. Roma

Porto have recorded wins in three of their six European matches against Roma. However, this is the first meeting between the sides since a Champions League tie in March 2019.

Porto’s record at this stage is a concern, having won just five of their last 25 knockout matches. However, the home side remain a prominent angle, as Claudio Ranieri’s record in knockout matches is extremely poor, having lost nine of his last eleven.

Twente vs. Bodo/Glimt

Bodo/Glimt have played out draws on their last three trips to the Netherlands, which included a 2-2 tie against Ajax in the Europa Conference League last term. However, their overall record in the knockout round appears to be a concern.

The team from Norway have won just once in their last 12 away matches in knockout matches, losing on eight occasions across that period. Therefore, a home win appears to be the most likely angle.

AZ Alkmaar vs. Galatasaray

Galatasaray and AZ played out a 1-1 draw in the Europa League earlier this season. The Turkish side have failed to win in their last six matches against Dutch sides, losing on five occasions across that period.

Therefore, a home win could be the correct angle to follow when making picks. AZ have also lost just two of their last 35 matches in Europe at AFAS Stadium.