Soccer

Europa League - Football: Test of Hammers' resolve against Sevilla

bet365 News Team Published: Apr 06 2022 15:53

West Ham are among 14 teams in Europa League action on Thursday evening with places in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

They host Sevilla looking to overturn a one-goal deficit from last week when Munir El Haddadi struck the only goal of the game on the hour mark.

Rangers are also in action as they defend a three-goal lead at Red Star Belgrade while the mighty Barcelona face a tough trip to Galatasaray.

Moyes hoping home advantage counts for Hammers

West Ham's trip to Sevilla was their first European knockout football since 1981 and the Hammers fans will have tried to savour every moment.

Only a few years ago, the prospect of European football seemed light-years away, so whatever happens on Thursday, they can certainly leave the ground with their heads held high.

However, they are going to have to create more chances in the second leg as Sevilla were allowed to restrict them to just three shots on target at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Julen Lopetegui's men, 5/1 to win the tournament for a record seventh time, are a notoriously difficult side to break down - they have the best defensive record in La Liga this season - and West Ham will need to be more expressive in their play, with them 6/5 to win on the night.

Not having Jarrod Bowen fit and available has hampered them recently, though they did get back to winning ways on Sunday with a 2-1 triumph against Aston Villa so can at least enter with a bit more confidence.

The Hammers can be backed at 7/4 to advance to the last eight with Sevilla priced at 2/5.

Rangers could coast into quarter-finals

Rangers' progress in the Europa League has been one of the competition's biggest talking points this season, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side could see their stock rise even further if they get past Crvena Zvezda as expected, with a win in Belgrade 11/5.

Following their 6-4 aggregate triumph over German giants Borussia Dortmund, the Serbian side may have seemed like a piece of cake in comparison and that is how it seemed as the Gers ran out 3-0 winners at Ibrox.

Goals from James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos, and Leon Balogun were enough to send the blue half of Glasgow into rapture and now the remit is to be as professional as possible as they head to Europe to finish the job off.

Rangers are looking to try and emulate their fabulous run to the final in 2008 when they were beaten by Zenit St Petersburg at the Etihad Stadium.

They can be backed to take another step along the way at 1/20 with a stunning Red Star comeback priced at 10/1 to progress.

Related Europa League News

Europa League: Hammers handed tough draw

Europa League: How far can Gio take Rangers?

Europa League: Barca set for different Euro voyage

Barca face tough Galatasaray trip

Galatasaray did exactly what they intended at the Nou Camp in the first leg as they stifled Xavi's Barcelona and left with a 0-0 draw.

There is no doubt that the Catalan outfit were the better of the two sides and probably deserved victory. However, Gala remained resolute and now Barca face the unenviable task of travelling to the Nef Stadyumu where they are 4/11 to win.

They have markedly improved under Xavi's tenure so far with January signings such as Pierre Emerick Aubameyang making a positive impact.

Ultimately, they will be aiming to win this competition at 5/2 and prove they are a capable unit - Barca are 1/6 to advance through with Galatasaray rated at 4/1.

Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta meet for a second time after a thrilling first leg in which Gian Piero Gasperini's men won 3-2 and are 9/5 to back up.

La Dea have been one of the most impressive teams to watch in Europe in recent years and they will be targeting a lengthy run in the competition.

Also playing are two-time winners Porto who will have to turn over a 1-0 deficit away from home as they travel to France to play Lyon.

The Portuguese outfit are the last team to win the competition from outside Spain or England when they defeated fellow Portuguese outfit Braga 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium in 2011.

Leicester targeting Conference League salvation

Leicester's only real chance of playing in Europe next season rests upon their Europa Conference League performance and they will be desperate to try and win the competition at 7/2 and avoid this season being written off as a failure.

After consecutive fifth-place finishes in the Premier League, and an FA Cup triumph, it has been tough for Brendan Rodgers' men this time around and their inconsistent season was again displayed on Sunday as they were beaten at the Emirates by Arsenal 2-0.

Injuries have not helped and Leicester will have once again find a solution to work without Jamie Vardy as the 35-year-old is set for another spell on the sidelines.

They can take solace from the fact they head to Rennes in the Conference League with a 2-0 advantage after Marc Albrighton and Kelechi Iheanacho gave them something to shout about at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester are available at 2/9 to go through to the last eight stage, with the Breton outfit priced at 3/1.