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The Europa League has reached the crucial last 32-second legs and ties will be decided on Wednesday and Thursday. Here are just some of those Europa League ties taking place this week:
Zenit Saint Petersburg v Celtic
The first leg of this tie finished 1-0 to the visitors, so the Russian side failed to score an away goal.
The first leg defeat against the Scottish team ended a seven-game unbeaten run in the Europa League. Zenit had also won six of those seven games in this competition, so they have a strong record in Europe’s secondary competition. The home side have a very strong home record in the Europa League, having won 17 of their last 19 games on home soil in the competition. Despite not scoring an away goal, Zenit head into this clash favourites to progress to the next round.
Celtic have a woeful record in the Europa League, as the first leg victory ended an 11-game winless run for the Scottish giants in the competition dating back to 2014. The clean sheet in the first leg was also their only shootout in their last 13 games in the competition. The Hoops also have a poor away record in the Europa League, winning just one of their last 19 games in the competition.
This tie looked like one to watch before the first leg, which produced a 3-1 victory for the visitors in France. Despite the defeat, the away goal gives the visitors a slim chance of recording this tie.
Villarreal heads into this game in poor form having lost three of their last four games in all competitions. The Yellow Submarine’s form in the Europa League has also been unconvincing of late, as they have lost their last two games in this competition, having previously six games unbeaten in the competition. The Spanish side’s home record in this competition is also inconsistent, as they have won just one of their last four home games in the Europa League.
Lyon have been highly inconsistent of late in recent weeks. However, the French side do have a respectable record in the Europa League, winning four of their last five games and losing just once in their last eight European outings. They have also scored two or more goals in all four of those victories. Their away record in the Europa League is patchy, as they have won just two of their last six games on their travels in the competition. OL have been relative prolific on their travels in the Europa League, as they have failed to score just once in their last 11 games on their travels.
Other Europa League games
Wednesday night
CSKA Moscow v Red Star Belgrade (FK Crvena Zvezda)
Thursday night
Lokomotiv Moscow v Nice
Atletico Madrid v FC Copenhagen
Dynamo Kiev v AEK Athens
RB Leipzig v Napoli
Viktoria Plzen v Partizan Belgrade
Lazio v Steaua Bucharest
Sporting Lisbon v FC Astana
Arsenal v Ostersunds
Braga v Marseille
Atlanta v Borussia Dortmund
AC Milan v Ludogorets Razgrad
Salzburg v Real Sociedad
Athletic Bilbao v Spartak Moscow
Who will progress to the Europa League last 16?
