Europa League Preview – Round of 16 | First legs

The Europa League returns on Thursday with the first legs of the round of 16 with Chelsea and Arsenal both leading contenders for the title.

Chelsea remain favourites to capture the trophy, and they entertain Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev. Arsenal face a tough looking trip to France to face Rennes.

Elsewhere, Italian giants Inter Milan and Napoli are also considered real candidates for the trophy. Inter face Eintracht Frankfurt and Napoli are up against Red Bull Salzburg.

Few have better Europa League pedigree than Sevilla and they will be confident of progressing as they face Slavia Prague.

Valencia will also be hopeful of progressing as they face Russian side Krasnodar. There is also a Russian-Spanish clash in St Petersburg as Zenit take on Villarreal.

Benfica – fancied by many to win – take on Dinamo Zagreb.

We run through every game including predictions from former England, Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder Andy Gray, our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey and BoyleSports’ Lawrence Lyons.

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Dinamo Zagreb 17:55 Benfica

MATCH ODDS: Zagreb 21/10 Draw 9/4 Benfica 13/10
BoyleSports pick: Draw @9/4
ANDY SAYS: I am going with Benfica and their experience to give them the edge…1-2
GRAEME SAYS: This won’t be easy but I think Benfica will have the class to get the away win…0-2
Football Index – One to follow: Joao Felix – One of the best young players in Europe

Eintracht Frankfurt 17:55 Inter Milan

MATCH ODDS: Frankfurt 13/10 Draw 9/4 Inter 21/10
BoyleSports pick: Jovic to score first @4/1
ANDY SAYS: Tough game for Inter and I see Frankfurt pushing them all the way…1-1
GRAEME SAYS: Frankfurt have been great this season in Europe, and they should hold them in what should be a great game…2-2
Football Index – One to follow: Mauro Icardi – A potential superstar, the Argentine needs to be followed

Rennes 17:55 Arsenal

MATCH ODDS: Rennes 11/4 Draw 9/4 Arsenal 21/20
BoyleSports pick: Both Teams To Score @4/6
ANDY SAYS: Arsenal are performing well and I think they are taking this serious now and win…1-2
GRAEME SAYS: If Arsenal play full team they win, but Rennes shouldn’t be under-estimated either…0-2
Football Index – One to follow: Ainsley Maitland-Niles – A real prospect, and he doesn’t get many headlines but should be considered for any portfolio

Sevilla 17:55 Slavia Prague

MATCH ODDS: Sevilla 2/5 Draw 7/2 Slavia 7/1
BoyleSports pick: Sevilla to be winning Half Time/Full Time @11/10
ANDY SAYS: Sevilla are a classy outfit and will win this game for sure…2-0
GRAEME SAYS: This is a tough ask for any team, Slavia could be on the end of a beating here…4-1
Football Index – One to follow: Andre Silva – A top striker who could be playing at the very top level soon

Zenit St Petersburg 17:55 Villarreal

MATCH ODDS: Zenit 11/10 Draw 11/5 Villarreal 11/4
BoyleSports pick: Zenit to win @11/10
ANDY SAYS: Villarreal are a classy side and I can see them claiming the win here…1-2
GRAEME SAYS: This is a tough trip and I see Zenit having the edge here, but will be a close game…2-1
Football Index – One to follow: Pablo Fornals – An amazing prospect for Villarreal

Chelsea 20:00 Dynamo Kiev

MATCH ODDS: Chelsea 2/7 Draw 4/1 Kiev 10/1
BoyleSports pick: Both Teams To Score @6/5
ANDY SAYS: Chelsea will have too much for Dynamo here, will be a comfortable home win…3-0
GRAEME SAYS: Hard to see how Chelsea will be challenged here and they will get the victory…2-0
Football Index – One to follow: Eden Hazard – Has everything to be top of the Index and summer move could see him there

Napoli 20:00 FC Red Bull Salzburg

MATCH ODDS: Napoli 4/9 Draw 10/3 Red Bull 6/1
BoyleSports pick: Napoli to win & Under 2.5 goals @11/4
ANDY SAYS: Napoli are clearly one of the favourites and will win this home game…2-0
GRAEME SAYS: This has to be a home win, I think Napoli will have too much…3-0
Football Index – One to follow: Fabian Ruiz – An outstanding Napoli prospect, one to watch

Valencia 20:00 FK Krasnodar

MATCH ODDS: Valencia 4/9 Draw 16/5 Krasnodar 13/2
BoyleSports pick:Valencia to win to nil @6/5
ANDY SAYS: Valencia are a good side, and they will win here with relative ease for me…3-0
GRAEME SAYS: Has to go down as a home win…2-0
Football Index – One to follow: Goncalo Guedes – A top young player, and one to be looked at

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