Here are the four clubs likely to make it through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League following the commencement of the first leg of all quarter-final fixtures today.
With the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League kicking off today, Thursday, April 11, 2024, here are the four clubs that are likely to make it through to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The Europa League for the 2023/2024 club football season has been highly competitive so far with top clubs in this stage of the tournament as compared to the previous season. Many are eagerly anticipating to see how the first leg of all fixtures pan out as it could give a possible insight as to what to expect from the semi-finals of the competition.
This would be the last edition of the old format of the league and with more teams looking to play in the 2024/2025 season, every fixture in the tournament has continued to serve as a form of assessment of future rivals in the upcoming season of the competition.
What are the UEFA Europa League quarter-final fixtures to be played today?
- AC Milan vs AS Roma
- Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham
- Liverpool vs Atalanta
- Benfica vs Marseille
Liverpool vs Atalanta
With Jurgen Klopp looking to end his final season at Liverpool on a high note it is highly anticipated that Liverpool take their quarter-finals against the Italian Serie A side Atalanta as a fight to the finish fixture.
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The first leg of the tie would be played at Anfield and the fixture is perfectly poised to be an end-to-end and fast-paced game. This however does not mean the odds are currently stacked in the favour of Liverpool as Atalanta often times rise to be big occasion and become a menace on the attack to their opponents.
This would be the most lethal weapon deployed in today's fixture as both sides are known for their attacking capabilities and as such this would be a fixture that would be decided by who converts their chances the most in this fixture.
Liverpool would be looking to curb their wasteful excesses going into the game whilst exploiting the lax defence Atalanta possesses whilst the Italian side would also be looking to capitalize on the lack of experience of the Liverpool side.
This is poised to be an entertaining fixture but we tip Liverpool to be one of clubs in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham
The Bayern Leverkusen vs West Ham fixture is the most anticipated fixture in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final round and this is because of the contrast of both sides style of play
Bayern Leverkusen has gone over 35 games unbeaten in all competition but this is a fixture we believe Xabi Alonso might actually suffer his first defeat. The David Moyes-led West Ham is the stark opposite of the ever-attacking Leverkusen side with the London club relying heavily on hitting teams on the counter.
West Ham would be a challenge of a different magnitude going into this fixture for Alonso and his boys as the fluidity and dynamism West Ham possesses could be a deal breaker for the German side.
The experience as well as the technical ability of West Ham's midfield can also ensure Bayern Leverkusen sees less of the ball and West Ham who are also known for their never give up attitude on the pitch regardless of what the scoreline might say would be looking to prove a point with the odds currently stacked against them.
This is a hard fixture for us to predict but we are tipping West Ham to secure a qualification into the semi-finals of the Europa League.
AC Milan vs AS Roma
A long-old Italian rivalry in the AC Milan vs AS Roma fixture is about to come alive in the quarter-finals of the Europa League and we are excited about this fixture even though it might possess less drama and action the former coach of the Roma side Jose Mourinho often brings to the table in every fixture.
With AC Milan stepping up the momentum in their final games of the season it is expected that this would be one of the fixtures they show how far and how well their team are now in sync with one another. AS Roma could struggle in this fixture due to the absence of creativity as well as the dynamism of the squad that talented players of different skill sets often possess.
This is what makes AC Milan a threat and our pick to qualify from this fixture to the semi-finals of the tournament.
READ ALSO: 4 Clubs that would qualify for the Champions League semi-finals
Benfica vs Marseille
Another entertaining fixture to look out for in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League is the Benfica vs Marseille fixture.
Benfica a side that has not lost at home this season would be looking to defy all odds and stop a Marseille side that has the second-highest number of goals in the Europa League this season with over 23 goals.
Marseille's defensive record is no better as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 fixtures so far this season. This is a clear indicator that this is poised to be a goal-scoring fixture as well.
We are however tipping Benfica to secure the final spot in the semi-finals of the tournament.
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