The quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League are on the horizon, as the winners on Thursday will only have four matches standing between them and spot in the final on May 15th at the Amsterdam Arena.
Thursday programming alert: Watch Rubin Kazan v Levante (on Sportsnet World, 1pm ET), Inter Milan v Tottenham (on Sportsnet, 2pm ET), Chelsea v Steaua Buceresti (on Sportsnet, 4pm ET) and Newcastle v Anji (Sportsnet World, 4pm ET). Also, watch four other Europa League games exclusively on Sportsnet World Online
Rubin Kazan vs. Levante (0-0 in first leg)
With everything to play for after neither side were able to grab a goal in the first leg, despite both having a player sent off in Valencia last week, the travelling Spaniards find themselves in a tough situation in Kazan. The Tatars are coming off a big home victory over Zenit St. Petersburg on the weekend, and have only conceded nine goals in 12 matches in all competitions at the Tsentralnyi Stadion. Levante currently average under a goal-per-game away from home, and the prospect of beating Rubin ‘keeper Sergei Ryzhikov on Thursday looks bleak.
Zenit St. Petersburg vs. FC Basel (Zenit won 2-0 in first leg)
St Jakob-Park has been the scene of some famous European nights for Swiss champions Basel, especially last year when they beat both Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. They currently hold a five-match unbeaten run on home turf, putting two late goals past their Russian opponents in the first leg. Zenit have looked unimpressive since returning from their domestic winter break and seem to still be in hibernation. A lucky three minutes in St. Petersburg and a poor Jamie Carragher back-pass gave them the aggregate victory over Liverpool in the previous round. The thermostat will read -12 at the Petrovsky Stadium by kickoff on Thursday, which obviously plays into the hosts’ favour, though, that’s all they’ve got going for them currently.
Inter Milan vs. Tottenham (Spurs won 3-0 in first leg)
The return leg at San Siro seems like a mere formality at this point, especially since the Nerazzurri seem to have given up on their season all together and are basically in countdown mode to the final whistle that will put to bed a miserable campaign. Spurs cruised to an impressive and dominating victory at White Hart Lane, and were never under threat at any point in their first leg encounter. Despite a disappointing loss on the weekend at Anfield, Tottenham should be able to rest some of their regulars, even with Gareth Bale missing out to suspension. Andre Villas-Boas can breathe easy with a comfortable lead heading into Milan, as only an unlikely catastrophic collapse would see Spurs bow out.
Bordeaux vs. Benfica (Benfica won 1-0 in first leg)
A dire one-goal victory was not the advantage Benfica would have hoped for going into the second leg at the Stade Chablan Delmas. Jorge Jesus was expecting to have a sizeable advantage, but now must play a full strength side in the return leg. Having only lost once in 2013, the Portugese leaders are still favoured to get the job done against Bordeaux and need an early goal to silence the home crowd. The Girondins are an unpredictable bunch, mired in mediocrity and mid-table obscurity. If the match stays scoreless by the end of the first half, Bordeaux has a shot of pulling off an upset.
European Football Weekly: FAN 590’s Dan Riccio, Derrick Brandao and Gord Brunt take an in-depth look at the beautiful game on the European Football Weekly podcast. For more details and to listen to past shows, CLICK HERE
FAN 590’s Soccer Show: Tune in to FAN 590 every Thursday at 8pm ET to listen to The Soccer Show, Canada’s foremost soccer weekly co-hosted by Nigel Reed and ex-NASL champion Bob Iarusci. For more details and to listen to past shows, CLICK HERE
Chelsea vs. Steaua Bucuresti (Steaua won 1-0 in first leg)
The prospect of a trophy-less season is a very real possibility for Chelsea, who started the year with seven chances at silverware. It’s now down to two. The Rafa Benitez situation has sucked the life out of the Blues’ season, dividing the fan base and creating a clique-like environment in the dressing room that has made results inconsistent. Despite the negativity inside Stamford Bridge, it’s hard to envision Chelsea won’t be celebrating after the final whistle on Thursday. Benitez will play a more attack-minded system in the return leg, having made the previous error of sitting too deep and trying to play on the counter. Chelsea is a safe bet to earn the victory, as is the incessant abuse that will rain down on Benitez from the stands.
Fenerbahce vs. Viktoria Plzen (Fenerbahce won 1-0 in first leg)
The Plzen side that completely destroyed Napoli in the previous round was non-existent in their home leg defeat last week. A tough trip to Turkey awaits, and the need for a goal puts them at an extreme disadvantage in a hostile environment. Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium provides an intimidating atmosphere, with 50,000 loud and abrasive Yellow Canaries supporters unleashing hell on its visitors. Pavel Vrba has done a fantastic job getting Plzen this far, but Pierre Webo’s late strike to seal Fener’s victory last week has set the Czech club up for the knockout blow in Istanbul.
Lazio vs. Stuttgart (Lazio won 2-0 in first leg)
An empty Stadio Olimpico should do very little to hamper Lazio’s ambition of a place in the quarter-finals. UEFA decided to reject the clubs appeal against a stadium ban and upheld their initial punishment that also includes a €40,000 fine. Crowd trouble in the previous round against Borussia Monchengladbach was the catalyst for having to play their next two matches behind closed doors. No team has been able to reverse a two-goal deficit away from home in European competition, and Stuttgart should follow that trend.
Newcastle vs. Anji Makhachkala (0-0 if first leg)
The Magpies could very well be the only English club left competing in Europe after Thursday. As bizarre as that might sound, considering how hopeless the mood has been around Tyneside this season, Newcastle are in the best possible position to be the Premier League flag-bearer heading into the next round. A goal in Russia would have been ideal, but keeping a clean sheet was just as important, especially with Robert Elliot deputizing in goal for the injured Tim Krul. Never underestimate the power of the 12th man — St. James Park will be electric, though Anji possess the X-factor in Samuel Eto’o, who is one of the best impact players in the game and has the necessary experience on the big stage to be the difference.
Sportsnet World Online: Now you can watch all the best international soccer from wherever you are live on your computer. Sportsnet World Online is a new online only service that you can subscribe to, and there are many different subscription options. For more details and to subscribe, CLICK HERE