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Thursday's Europa League predictions including Manchester United vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today's Europa League fixtures, including Manchester United vs. Barcelona.


Nantes vs. Juventus (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Nantes' Ludovic Blas celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 16, 2023© Reuters

A place in the last 16 of the Europa League is up for grabs as Juventus travel to the Stade de la Beaujoire to face Nantes in the second leg of their playoff tie on Thursday night.

The tie is nicely poised after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in a closely-fought first-leg contest in Turin last week.

We say: Nantes 1-2 Juventus (Juventus to win 3-2 on aggregate)


Nantes will relish their role as underdogs in front of their home supporters, and, as they demonstrated in the first leg, have the credentials to cause problems for Juventus on Thursday.

However, the Italians boast plenty of European experience and, on paper, have a stronger squad that should be capable of grinding out a slender victory to advance to the last 16.

How to watch

You can watch Nantes vs. Juventus and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Midtjylland vs. Sporting Lisbon (Thursday, 5.45pm)

FC Midtjylland's Emam Ashour celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 16, 2023© Reuters

FC Midtjylland and Sporting Lisbon are back in action in the Europa League when they square off in the second leg of the playoffs at the MCH Arena on Thursday.

With last week's first-leg clash ending in a stalemate, a place in the round of 16 is still up for the taking and this makes for a nail-biting and thrilling contest.

We say: FC Midtjylland 1-2 Sporting Lisbon


Having failed to come out on top at home, Sporting Lisbon are in for a tough 90 minutes at the MCH Arena, where Midtjylland have shown resilience in recent weeks. While the Danish outfit will look to build on last week's result, Amorim's side boast the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to get this one over the line.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Monaco vs. B. Leverkusen (Thursday, 5.45pm)

AS Monaco players celebrate after Olympique de Marseille's Jordan Veretout scores an own goal and AS Monaco's first on January 28, 2023© Reuters

A spot in the last 16 of the Europa League will be on the line Thursday when Monaco host Bayer Leverkusen at Stade Louis II.

In the opening leg last Thursday, Les Monegasques stormed back with two goals in the final 16 minutes plus stoppage time to win 3-2, so a victory or draw in this match will be enough to put them through to the next stage of this competition.

We say: Monaco 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Monaco advances 5-3 on aggregate)


Monaco could be exposed out wide with their top two right-backs, Vanderson and Aguilar, injured, but they can make up for their defensive frailties with plenty of quality in the attacking third.

Losing Diaby is a massive blow for Alonso ahead of this match as his side rely heavily on the Frenchman for goals, while defensively this group have been exposed often, conceding six times in their last two games in all competitions.

How to watch

You can watch Monaco vs. Bayer Leverkusen and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


PSV vs. Sevilla (Thursday, 5.45pm)

Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli before the match on February 5, 2023© Reuters

Sevilla make the trip to the Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven on Thursday evening already on the brink of qualifying for the last 16 of the Europa League.

The La Liga outfit prevailed 3-0 in the first leg in Spain, leaving their opponents requiring one of their all-time greatest European performances to remain in the competition.

We say: PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Sevilla


While we do not see Sevilla exiting the competition on Thursday, they may wish to manage the game in a professional manner. That could allow PSV to win on the night, but the visitors should still progress on aggregate in comfortable fashion.

How to watch

You can watch PSV Eindhoven vs. Sevilla and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Man Utd vs. Barcelona (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Manchester United players celebrate scoring against Barcelona on February 16, 2023© Reuters

The first leg lived up to the pre-match hype, and now Manchester United and Barcelona renew hostilities at Old Trafford on Thursday night to determine who will progress from their Europa League knockout round playoff tie.

The two continental giants - who competed in the Champions League final only 12 years ago - played out a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week, and a similarly exhilarating contest can be expected at the Theatre of Dreams.

We say: Manchester United 2-1 Barcelona (Man United win 4-3 on aggregate)


Even with thoughts of an imminent EFL Cup final derail threatening to derail their train of thought, Man United's prolific charges have slayed many foes at Old Trafford this season, and an absentee-hit Barcelona should become the latest victims of the Red Devils' superiority.

A more clinical side than Leicester would have taken one of their multitude of first-half chances at the weekend, so while Xavi's side can still expect joy in the final third, Man United's affinity for multiple-goal showings should see them through to the last 16 as Barcelona pack their bags early once again.

How to watch

You can watch Manchester United vs. Barcelona and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

> How Barcelona could line up against Man United

> How Man United could line up against Barcelona

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Man United

> Man United, injury suspension list vs. Barcelona


Rennes vs. Shakhtar (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Stade Rennes coach Bruno Genesio reacts on February 16, 2023© Reuters

The Europa League knockout playoff round continues on Thursday night as Ligue 1 side Rennes welcome Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk to Roazhon Park for the second leg of the tie.

The visitors have the upper hand going into the second leg having won the first leg, which was played in Poland due to the war in Ukraine, 2-1.

We say: Rennes 2-0 Shakhtar Donetsk


Rennes will be confident that they can overturn a one-goal deficit in this second leg at Roazhon Park, especially as their home form this season has been excellent.

Bruno Genesio's team are aiming to reach the last 16 of this competition for the first time since the 2018-19 season, and a front two of Gouiri and Kalimuendo as well as a partisan home crowd may be too much for Shakhtar to cope with.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Union Berlin vs. Ajax (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer on October 9, 2022© Reuters

Union Berlin and Ajax square off in the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie with both clubs feeling confident about progression to the last 16.

The first fixture in the Netherlands ended goalless, and the domestic form of each team means that there will be optimism ahead of Thursday's clash at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

We say: Union Berlin 2-1 Ajax


With Ajax scoring goals for fun on the domestic front, they will believe that it can be transferred over to continental action. However, Union Berlin are stronger than any team in the Eredivisie, and we feel that will show as they edge their way through to the last 16.

How to watch

You can watch Union Berlin vs. Ajax and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Roma vs. Salzburg (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Roma coach Jose Mourinho reacts on February 16, 2023© Reuters

Roma's Europa League campaign is on the line when they host Red Bull Salzburg at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.

The reverse fixture at Stadion Salzburg last week ended 1-0 in favour of the Austrian champions, leaving Jose Mourinho's team requiring a top performance on their turf to turn the tie around.

We say: Roma 0-1 Red Bull Salzburg


Mourinho's men will most likely have to make do without Abraham and Dybala, leaving them short of the much-needed firepower up top in a game where goals are required to advance.

That should be music to the ears of the visiting Austrian side, who seldom fail to find the back of the net, a run that should continue in Rome.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured before the match on January 18, 2023
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