Six sublime Europa League tips for last 16 first leg tussles

Basel v Sevilla – Back a draw at 23/10

The cup holders are 23/10 to endure a first leg stalemate with Basel, following a run of six away outings without a single victory, including four draws, with their previous win on the road coming in January.

Fenerbahce v Braga – Sen strikes anytime at 12/5

The Turkey international winger has sprung to life in recent weeks, firing in crucial goals during back-to-back domestic victories over bitter rivals Besiktas and Akhisar Belediyespor, and he is a tasty 12/5 to make it three in a row in this European outing.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Anderlecht – Hosts 5/2 to bag three or more

The hosts are therefore 5/2 to fire in another treble of strikes or more on their home patch, against an Anderlecht outfit that have been defeated in their last three Belgian top-flight fixtures, conceding six times in those losses.

Athletic Bilbao v Valencia – Aduriz 10/3 to net last

Athletic attacker Aritz Aduriz loves this fixture, with the former Los Che frontman having netted the last goal in all of his last four outings against his former employers, as well as currently topping the Europa League scoring charts. Back him at 10/3 to strike last again here.

Sparta Prague v Lazio – Visitors win 1-0 at 13/2

It would appear it’s the Serie A side’s turn to edge out their rivals and they are 13/2 to secure a 1-0 victory on the road, with that previous triumph in 2000 coming thanks to a first-half strike from the one and only Fabrizio Ravanelli.

Villarreal v Bayer Leverkusen – Hernandez goal anytime at 13/8

The Mexican marksman is therefore a promising 13/8 to strike again anytimeagainst a Villarreal side that have won just one of their previous five games on all fronts.