Sports Blog 10/03/2016: Match Preview – UEFA Europa League Last 16 1st Legs, Thursday 10th March 2016

It’s a tough last 16 draw for the Europa League’s remaining English sides, with a trip to Germany and a home-grown affair on the cards this Thursday evening.

First up sees Tottenham take on a resurgent Borussia Dortmund at 6pm on BT Sport 2. Frustratingly for Spurs the last 16 tie comes as they are beginning to wobble domestically. Whilst an emphatic 3-0 win in 2nd leg against Fiorentina was one of Tottenham’s best performances this season, a loss to West Ham and an intense, exhausting 2-2 draw against Arsenal has seen them slip 5 points behind Premier League leaders Leicester. At least Harry Kane, at a Super Mega PGM of 20-24, remains in fantastic form, scoring an astonishing goal to give Spurs the lead in the North London derby, whilst Erik Lamela, less effective domestically, has found a rich vein of form in Europe, his 6 goals in the competition leaving him with a Super Mega PGM of 7-10.



Spurs face an unenviable task in taking on Borussia Dortmund. The German side have recovered from last season’s United-esque blip in style, comfortable in 2nd in the Bundesliga (5 points behind Bayern following a 0-0 against their rivals at the weekend) and with a DFB-Pokal semi-final against Hertha Berlin to look forward to at the end of April. Yet despite being favourites to win the competition this season (at 7/2 fixed odds to Spurs’ 10/1) Dortmund haven’t been infallible in Europe, finishing Group C in 2nd. They looked better in the last 32, however, a potentially tricky draw against Porto overcame with relative ease, finishing the fixture 3-0 up over 2 legs. Worryingly for Tottenham Dortmund have an incredibly strong front line of their own, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (at a Super Mega PGM of 54-62), Marco Reus (at 30-36) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (at 22-27) totalling 57 goals between them.

Despite their own impressive form in Europe it looks like Thursday’s tie might be a step too far for Spurs, Spreadex offering a Borussia Dortmund/Tottenham Goal Supremacy spread of 1.05-1.25 with a Total Goals spread of 2.85-3.05.

Whilst Spurs take on one of the continent’s best, Liverpool and Manchester United face each other for the first time in their storied European histories at 8.05pm on BT Sport Europe. Just as Louis van Gaal satifised those calling for his head with wins over Arsenal and Watford (as well as that vengeful 5-1 victory over Midtjylland in the Europa League last 32) his side goes and loses at West Brom, allowing West Ham to leapfrog United to 5th place. The Dutchman will be praying that Marcus Rashford (at a Super Mega PGM of 13-17) can continue his fine form in the absence of Rooney, whilst hoping that Anthony Martial (at 14-18) can re-find his form after failing to find the back of the net since mid-February.



Having already lost to United twice this season Jurgen Klopp claimed he was gagging for another go at van Gaal after the Europa League draw was announced; and whilst this may have been a bit of bluster on the German manager’s part, Liverpool actually look in a position to beat their bitter rivals ahead of their third meeting this season. Admittedly Liverpool did lose the League Cup final, and looked shaky in Europe with a meagre 1-0 win over Augsburg putting them through to the last 16. Yet they are now only 3 points behind United in the league (but with a game in hand), and head into Thursday in their best period since Klopp took over, beating Aston Villa, Manchester City and Crystal Palace on the trot in the league whilst scoring 11 goals in the process.

Heading into Thursday breathing down United’s neck in the league Klopp will fancy his chances this time around, and Spreadex agree, offering a Liverpool/Manchester United Goal Supremacy spread of 0.25-0.45 with a Total Goals spread of 2.25-2.45.

Recent Posts: