Borussia Monchengladbach v Schalke
Thursday March 16, 20:05
Live on BT Sport

These two sides will meet for the third time this month on Thursday. They drew the first leg 1-1, and Gladbach stuffed Schalke 4-2 in the league. Schalke were much improved in Gelsenkirchen, and would've carved out a first-leg lead if Foals keeper Yann Sommer hadn't been on top form.

Both sides have excellent attacking players who are on form. If Gladbach skipper Lars Stindl recovers from a hip injury, he'll hope to continue a run that seen him involved in seven goals in his last five appearances. His attacking partner-in-crime Raffael should return, after missing the weekend's 2-1 defeat in Hamburg with a virus.

Schalke's Guido Burgstaller scored twice in Sunday's 3-0 win over Augsburg, and the burly Austrian has slammed in six goals in all competitions since signing from second-division Nurnberg in the winter window.

Both defences have gaps to exploit. Gladbach were very shaky at Hamburg at the weekend, while Schalke haven't looked the same since Brazilian veteran Naldo was ruled out for the rest of the season.

These teams shared out six goals in the corresponding league fixture, and I fancy goals again. Four of the last six meetings between the sides have featured at least three goals, and I expect both coaches (Dieter Hecking and Markus Weinzierl) to decide that attack is the best form of defence.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.92

Ajax v Copenhagen
Thursday March 16, 20:05
Live on BT Sport

For a team with a proven European pedigree (four European Cups and one UEFA Cup), it's been a lean time for Ajax. They haven't been to the quarter-finals of a major European trophy since 2003, and they haven't won one since 1995, the team of Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Edwin Van der Sar and Frank Rijkaard.

Now a place in the Europa League quarter-finals is up for grabs, with Ajax only 2-1 down from their first leg against Copenhagen in Denmark. They became the first opposition to score at the Parken since August in the first leg, and their own home form suggests they can turn the tie in their favour, as they have won 15 of their last 16 matches in all competitions at the Amsterdam Arena.

Copenhagen have had some great results in this season's European competition, with wins at Club Brugge in the Champions League and Ludogorets in the Europa League. However, all-action midfielder Thomas Delaney has joined Werder Bremen, and he's just the kind of player you need when you're trying to dig out a result away from home. Defender Mathias Jorgensen is also absent, as he is suspended.

Ajax have won all four of their Europa League home games, and even without the suspended Davy Klaasen, I suspect they'll just about get over the line here.

Recommended Bet
Back Ajax to qualify at 1.93

Besiktas v Olympiakos
Thursday 16 March, 18:00
Live on BT Sport

Besiktas are in pole position to reach the quarter-finals after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Greece against Olympiakos. The Turkish champions went a goal down in Athens, but levelled after a poor clearance, and then made chances that could've led to a precious away victory.

Besiktas drew all of their Champions League home games, against Dynamo Kiev, Benfica and Napoli. Having avoided defeat against that lot, I'd expect them to be able to get the job done against an Olympiakos side that isn't quite as dominant in Greece this season, and that hasn't really impressed in European competition.

Recommended Bet
Back Besiktas -0.5 & -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 1.90

Krasnodar v Celta Vigo
Thursday March 16, 18:00
Live on BT Sport

I must admit I underestimated Celta Vigo ahead of the previous round's action against Shakhtar Donetsk. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in northern Spain, Celta grabbed a questionable late penalty right at the end of the second leg in Kharkiv, and went on to win the tie.

This time Celta take a 2-1 lead to Russia, as they look to advance against Krasnodar. The Bulls have built up a reputation recently as a team who are very strong at home in European competition, but their move to a brand-new state-of-the-art stadium (the 360 degree video wall is awesome) has removed the fear factor for opposition sides. Krasnodar have only won one of their three European games at the new ground.

Celta have only lost two of their last seven matches, and one of those was a routine dismemberment at Barcelona. I won't make the mistake of underestimating them again.

Recommended Bet
Back Celta Draw No Bet at 2.24

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