An action-packed week in the Europa League saw all 16 remaining teams take the stage. As we recap the first-leg matches, we’ll also assess how each tie is shaping up ahead of the return fixtures, set to take place on Thursday, March 14th.
AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham
- AZ Quarter-Final Odds: Evens
- Tottenham Quarter-Final Odds: 3/4
Although the only goal in this match came when Lucas Bergvall sliced the ball into his own net, the scoreline was a fair reflection of the match. AZ were comfortably the better side and could have easily been two ahead had Troy Parrot’s shot avoided Guglielmo Vicario’s foot when clean through on goal.
Tottenham, for all their attacking talent on the pitch, failed to create a promising chance and could only produce a paltry 0.44 xG. As bad as they were though, you have to think they will look much better playing at home. Spurs have won nine of their last 10 Europa League home matches (the exception being a 2-2 draw with Roma) including a 1-0 win over AZ in October.
FCSB 1-3 Lyon
- FBSC Quarter-Final Odds: 28/1
- Lyon Quarter-Final Odds: 1/100
A late brace from Malick Fofana handed Lyon a huge advantage in this tie. It was the kind of morale-boosting result the French side needed as it came just a day after manager Paulo Fonesca received a nine-month domestic ban for aggressively confronting a referee.
The Portuguese manager did not oversee a particularly excellent display as a draw would have been a fair result on the night, but he will not mind one bit. Les Gones will be extremely confident of getting the job done back home as they have a tremendous record at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. The only visiting side to have won there since October are Ligue 1 leaders PSG.
Fenerbahce 1-3 Rangers
- Fenerbahce Quarter-Final Odds: 11/2
- Rangers Quarter-Final Odds: 1/9
Despite losing 3-1 at home, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho called it a “good result” and insisted his team are firmly within this tie. Two-goal deficits have been overturned before in this competition but the Turkish do not seem likely to pull it off given their underwhelming European record this season.
Mourinho’s men have won just three of their 11 Europa League matches across 2024/25 and only one of these has come away. However, they can take some confidence in knowing Rangers have lost their last three domestic home matches. This should give them a glimmer of hope but they will surely need an early goal to have any chance at Ibrox.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Manchester United
- Real Sociedad Quarter-Final Odds: 2/1
- Man Utd Quarter-Final Odds: 4/11
A first leg draw means there is all to play for when these teams meet at Old Trafford on Thursday but based on the initial meeting, United look the most likely to progress. Despite their recent struggles, Ruben Amorim’s side were the better team until the hosts converted a soft penalty 70 minutes in.
The problem is, United have struggled for consistency so their solid first leg showing does not count for a great deal. You just do not know what you are going to get with the Red Devils at the moment so their odds of 4/11 to progress do seem a little short. One thing that does look more certain is that fans at Old Trafford will be in for a nervy evening on Thursday.
Ajax 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
- Ajax Quarter-Final Odds: 9/2
- Frankfurt Quarter-Final Odds: 1/7
A competitive encounter in Amsterdam could have easily gone either way but it was Frankfurt who came back from behind to secure a valuable one-goal advantage. If the second leg is anything like the first, we should be in for another closely fought contest but there is no guarantee this will happen.
What seems more likely is that Frankfurt will be the more dominant side on Thursday given their home record. Ajax need a win to stay in the tie but visiting teams rarely triumph at the Waldstadion. Assuming Union Berlin do not grab all three points on Sunday, the only visiting teams to have done so across competitions are Mainz and Bayer Leverkusen.
Bodo/Glimt 3-0 Olympiakos
- Bodo/Glimt Quarter-Final Odds: 9/2
- Olympiakos Quarter-Final Odds: 1/7
If there is to be one major upset on Thursday night, might it be Olympiakos turning around this tie in Piraeus? It may seem a bold call but the 47-time Greek champions were very unlucky to lose by such a large margin. Not only did they concede an unfortunate own goal but they failed to score themselves despite creating plenty of chances and an xG of 2.17.
Added to this is the fact the Norwegian side are rarely close to their best when playing away. From 2022 onwards, Bodo/Glimt have won just one of eight away fixtures in the Europa League. So, although they retain a handsome advantage here, do not think this tie is done and dusted just yet.
Roma 2-1 Athletic Club
- Roma Quarter-Final Odds: 8/15
- Athletic Club Quarter-Final Odds: 11/8
Arguably the tie of the round this one as it pitted together two clubs with a realistic shot of going all the way in the competition. A close battle was expected and that is exactly what we witnessed in Rome. The initial contest looked to be heading for a draw but in the final minute Eldor Shomurodov found the net after Athletic Bilbao were reduced to 10 men.
With the Spaniards needing to overturn a one-goal deficit at home, this is a tricky tie to call. The form guide favours Roma but playing the second leg at home is a big advantage, especially if the contest heads to extra time. It could well boil down to the atmosphere inside the San Mames as Ernesto Valverde said he hopes for even half of what it was at the Stadio Olimpico.
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Lazio
- Viktoria Plzen Quarter-Final Odds: 14/1
- Lazio Quarter-Final Odds: 1/33
Favourites to win this year’s tournament, Lazio, were well-fancied for this tie and nothing has changed following the first leg result. Incredibly, the Italians managed to secure a late winner despite being reduced to nine men at that point.
The fact that Plzen could concede despite a two-player advantage does not bode well for them coming into the return leg. Not having the suspended Nicolo Rovella available is a loss for Lazio but they have more than enough depth to cope with this. This tie looked to be already over so expect no drama in Rome on Thursday.