It’s onto the second leg of the 2016-17 UEFA Europa League Round of 32. And like we always do, we’ve carefully selected three sleepers likely to pull off a major upset in their respective matchups. Read on below to find out.
Villarreal is experiencing rough times. The Spanish club carries just seven goals and one victory in its last nine games in all competitions, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Roma at Camp El Madrigal in the first leg of the Europa League final 32 last week. The Yellow Submarines were completely dominated in that match, which makes it quite harder for us to expect them to rebound from such a devastating defeat. Still, a desperate Villarreal side is bound to come out more serious and focused to redeem themselves against the Italians, who might let their confidence get the better of them.
Writer’s Prediction: Villarreal (+335) wins, 3-1, but Roma books a ticket to the Round of 16.
Schalke easily took care of PAOK in last week’s encounter. They cruised to a 3-0 victory at Salonika, putting them one step closer in securing a spot in the final 16. The Royal Blues are unbeaten in the last three meetings against PAOK, with two wins and a 1-1 draw back in 2013 at Gelsenkirchen. That stalemate should serve as a good reminder for Schalke—and everybody else—to not underestimate the two-headed eagle. The Black and Whites are also coming off a morale-boosting 4-0 win against Veria in Superleague Greece.
Writer’s Prediction: PAOK (+540) wins, 2-1, but the German side advances to the next round.
Bachar Barak’s group has their backs against the wall here. They lost at home, to Besiktas in the first leg, 3-1, giving them almost zero room for mistakes as the visitors in this second leg match. To be honest, Hapoel Be’er Sheva looks destined to fall out against the Turks who are scoring with ease of late. But the Israeli side should turn things around, or at least making things more competitive if they play the kind of football that they showed in the group stages, where Barak and co. outplayed the likes of Southampton and Inter Milan.
