It’s the Europa League, it’s the quarter-finals and Manchester United and Arsenal are still gunning for glory. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming fixtures...
Arsenal vs Slavia Prague
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Thursday, April 8
Kick-off time: 8pm
TV: BT Sport
Arsenal have shown real character to get the better of Benfica and then Olympiacos but now take on a Slavia Prague side who have already eliminated two British clubs in Leicester and Rangers.
However, the Czech champions’ 2-0 second leg triumph at Ibrox was overshadowed by Glen Kamara allegedly being racially abused by Slavia’s Ondrej Kudela.
The Gunners are currently ninth in the Premier League following their brilliant 3-3 comeback at West Ham on Sunday and, nine points off the top four. Winning the Europa League looks like their best shot of Champions League qualification.
Sportsman Stat: The Gunners hammered Slavia Prague 7-0 at home in the 2007-08 Champions League group stages with Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott each getting a brace each.
Betfred odds: Arsenal are 11/4 to win the Europa League this season
Granada vs Manchester United
Where: TBC (due to current Covid restrictions)
When: Thursday, April 8
Kick-off time: 8pm
TV: BT Sport
Manchester United defeated European powerhouse AC Milan to reach this stage and now take on the new kids on the block, Granada. The club from Spain’s Andalusia region are currently eighth in La Liga and have won their last four home games in all competitions before hosting Villarreal on April 3.
Man United, meanwhile, were knocked out of the FA Cup by Leicester and will now have an even sharper focus on getting their hands on the Europa League.
Sportsman Stat: This is Granada’s first ever season playing in the Europa League in the club’s 90-year history and the Spaniard’s dumped out Napoli in the round of 32.
Betfred odds: Granada are 7/2 to get past United and reach the semi-finals
Ajax vs Roma
Where: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
When: Thursday, April 8
Kick-off time: 8pm
TV: BT Sport
Two stellar names in European football. Ajax reached the final of this competition in 2017, losing to Manchester United, while Roma are looking to win only their second piece of European silverware having lifted the Inter-Cities Fair Cup in 1961 after beating Birmingham City over two legs.
Sportsman Stat: These two teams have only met twice previously, in the group stage of the 2002/03 Champions League where Ajax won one and drew the other.
Betfred odds: Roma are 17/2 to win this year’s competition
Dinamo Zagreb vs Villarreal
Where: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
When: Thursday, April 8
Kick-off time: 8pm
TV: BT Sport
Dinamo Zagreb will be confident of springing another surprise after dumping Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham out in the last round but Villarreal will be a stern test with the Spaniards already eliminating Dynamo Kiev and RB Salzburg.
Sportsman Stat: This will be Dinamo Zagreb’s first European quarter-final since 1970 and they face a side unbeaten in this season’s competition.
Betfred odds: Dinamo Zagreb are 11/5 to win the first leg
