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A few weeks ago the draw for the Europa League Quarter Finals were announced with the following results:
– Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan
– Tottenham vs Basel FC
– Fenerbahce vs Lazio
– Newcastle vs Benfica
What’s this? Three English teams, the only nation which had previously treated the competition with disdain are currently battling it out for the title.
Through looking at these ties I’ve come to the following conclusions about how each one will play out.
Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan
A potential thriller in which the current UEFA Champions League champions will face a high-octane team with Salomon Rondon and Yann M’Vila looking to be the main threats in Chelsea’s search for victory.
I think there’s going to be an upset here and Rubin will sneak through on away goals.
Prediction: Rubin 2-2 (Rubin to progress on away goals)
Why? This year the Russians knocked out reigning champions Atletico Madrid showcasing some brilliant counter-attacking play to come from the away leg with a two-goal advantage.
They then proceeded to play out a one nil defeat where they contained the Madrid side almost perfectly.
Afterwards they eased past Levante to set up this current round. I see them as very difficult to break down and Chelsea’s woes in front of goal will not help them in this game.
Tottenham vs Basel
After surviving a scare against a rejuvenated Inter Milan side, Tottenham scraped through on away goals after a stoppage time goal by Emmanuel Adebayor levelled the sides on aggregate.
Basel survived an onslaught by Zenit St. Petersburg to get through.
Prediction: Tottenham 4-1
Why? Spurs have too much quality in their eleven and this will be displayed in White Hart Lane, Basel may scrape a victory on their home turf but I suspect it won’t count for much.
Fenerbahce vs Lazio
Becoming the first Serie A team to make it this far in the competition since the rules were changed in 2009, Lazio cruised through with a 5-1 aggregate win over Stuttgart.
Libor Kozak particularly impressed dominating the German side and becoming the competitions leading goal scorer. Fenerbahce on the other hand scraped through in an interesting game against Plzen.
They scraped through 2-1 in a thrilling last game which may have been the tie of the round.
Prediction: Lazio 3-1
Why? I’m not too sure myself as I haven’t seen these teams play, but from what I’ve heard Lazio have been one of the form teams this season.
I also like the look of their attack and Kozak seems to be unstoppable in the Cup so far.
Newcastle vs Benfica
Lining up as the tie of the round, the Toon host the Portuguese giants this round, having the chance to play at the real Stadium of Light.
The Toon snuck through one-nil in stoppage time against Anzhi Makhachkala with the last kick of the game while Benfica eased past Bordeaux 4-2 on aggregate and didn’t looked troubled at any stage.
Prediction: I’m a Toon fan so my heart and head have conflicting ideas. 2-2 Newcastle on Penalties
Why?- I don’t want to split them, and Newcastle has one of the best defensive sides in the competition as well, compared to Benfica’s attacking prowess.
If we have the best squad possible we can match them man to man and a thrilling game will be on show.
So those are my predictions, at the end of this two English teams will be in the semis, one of which will be in the final.
That’s my thought at any rate.
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