Legia Warsaw lit up the group stages of the Champions League, although perhaps not in the way they had hoped. On their way out of the competition, they lost 6-0 and 8-4 to Borussia Dortmund, and played out a remarkable 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in Poland, after losing 5-1 in the Spanish capital.
Legia are somewhat lucky to have held Ajax to a goalless draw last week. The Dutch giants should have been awarded a goal, as Davy Klaassen's early effortappeared to have crossed the line, but goal-line technology still isn't used in the Europa League, and the extra officials veered into chocolate teapot territory.
Ajax did make chances though, and that encourages me to predict goals in this one. Legia leaked 22 goals in four games against Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, and while Ajax aren't in the same class, they scored in all six of their group matches. Ajax have scored three goals or more six times at the Amsterdam Arena this season, and I think Over 2.5 Goals is priced temptingly at evens.
Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 2.00
Shakhtar Donetsk v Celta Vigo Thursday February 23, 20:05
Shakhtar Donetsk have been one of the most impressive teams in this tournament so far. They won all six of their group games, and last week they won 1-0 at Balaidos to put themselves in the driving seat in this tie.
Despite the fact that they are having to play their home games in Lviv (the Donbass Arena was damaged in fighting, and has been deemed unsafe), Shakhtar have been excellent on Ukrainian soil. They have won all four of their "home games", and haven't conceded a single goal.
Celta secured a morale-boosting win over Osasuna at the weekend, but there is little to suggest they can turn this tie around. The Galicians have lost three of their last four away games, and in the group stage they only won once on the road.
Shakhtar have far more European experience as a unit, and should progress comfortably.
Recommended Bet
Back Shakhtar Donetsk -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.10
Besiktas v Hapoel Beer Sheva Thursday February 23, 18:00 Live on BT Sport Extra
Turkish champions Besiktas are enjoying life at the moment. They have finally overhauled upstarts Istanbul Basaksehir in the title race, and are now four points clear at the top of the Super Lig. They are also on the verge of reaching the last 16 of the Europa League, after an impressive 3-1 victory at Israeli champions Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Hapoel have done wonderfully well to get this far, finishing ahead of Inter Milan and Southampton in their group, but it's hard to see them finding a way out of this predicament.
Besiktas have won eight of their ten home games in the league, and were unbeaten in the Champions League at the Vodafone Arena. Hapoel are having a sticky spell, having won just two of their last seven matches, and in the league they've taken just three points from their last five away games.
The hosts are a decent price for the win, and that's the way I'm headed.
Recommended Bet
Back Besiktas to win at 1.80
APOEL v Athletic Club Thursday February 23, 18:00
After a rollercoaster of a first leg in Bilbao, this tie is still delicately balanced. Cypriot outfit APOEL took a shock lead at San Mames, then went 3-1 down, but a last-gasp goal from Giannis Gianniotas kept the dream alive for the underdogs.
Like Athletic Club, APOEL have plenty of recent Europa League experience, and they also have a formidable home record in continental competition. In the group stage they won all three matches at the Neo GSP, beating Astana, Olympiakos and Young Boys. They have only lost two of their last eight home matches in the Europa League. Athletic Club are favourites to progress, but I think APOEL will make them work hard to reach the last 16. Ernesto Valverde's side are pretty poor on the road - they have lost four of their last five away games, and have only won once on their travels in the last 11 outings.
Recommended Bet
Back Home or Draw in the Double Chance market at 1.89
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