UEFA Europa League Knockout Phase Predictions 20/02/2025
How will Galatasaray react in front of their fans when they host AZ Alkmaar in the second leg? The Turkish side succumbed to an embarrassing 4-1 defeat in the Netherlands in the first leg; now they need to beat the Dutch side by a four-goal margin to qualify for the round of 16. Everything is possible in football, but can we hope for any miracles in Turkey?
FC Porto and AS Roma shared the spoils in Portugal in the first leg (1-1); now both teams need to avoid a defeat in the return leg to advance to the next round, while Fenerbahce will look to defend their 3-0 advantage from the first leg when they face Anderlecht in Belgium for the return leg.
This week’s UEFA Europa League Knockout Phase predictions were based on current form, data, and expert knowledge.
UEFA Europa League Knockout Phase predictions: 20/02/2025
Bodo/Glimt and FC Twente to delight fans with goals: Bodo/Glimt vs FC Twente
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 18:45
- Europa League matches involving Bodo/Glimt usually end with three or more goals, and the upcoming game may follow suit.
Most of Bodo/Glimt’s Europa League matches this term ended with three or more goals, including the first leg against FC Twente. The Norwegians are known for their ability to score goals and their struggle to maintain a clean sheet, which is why we anticipate the upcoming game to be similar.
Bodo/Glimt vs FC Twente prediction: Over 2.5 goals
AS Roma to avoid a defeat in Rome: AS Roma vs FC Porto
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 18:45
- Roma held Porto in Portugal, and their overall performance at home in this competition suggests they are unlikely to lose to the struggling Portuguese men.
AS Roma are unbeaten in four Europa League matches, winning three games. They held Athletic Bilbao to a 1-1 draw on matchday one, and with Porto struggling currently, it is safe to side with the Romans to avoid a defeat.
AS Roma vs FC Porto prediction: Home team to win or draw
Galatasaray and AZ Alkmaar to entertain fans with goals: Galatasaray vs AZ Alkmaar
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Matches involving either team usually produce goals, and there’s a huge chance the upcoming game will follow suit.
The first leg in the Netherlands was a joy to watch, maybe for the Dutch fans, as AZ Alkmaar demolished Galatasaray 4-1. The victory has put them halfway through to the next round, and while the Turkish side may struggle to turn the event around, both teams producing at least three goals shouldn’t be a stretch.
Galatasaray vs AZ Alkmaar prediction: Over 2.5 goals
FCSB and PAOK to struggle in the final third: FCSB vs PAOK
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Europa League matches involving either team rarely produce three or more goals, and the upcoming game may follow suit.
Although the first leg ended with over 2.5 goals, the chances of the second leg following suit are slim because goals are usually not scored when FCSB play at home. PAOK will want to push for a comeback, but the Romanians are good defensively and have the quality to drag this game to a goalless draw.
FCSB vs PAOK prediction: Under 2.5 goals
Ajax to wrap up the draw with a win: Ajax vs Union Saint-Gilloise
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Ajax may have endured mixed results in this competition, but they rarely fall short at home, and USG will struggle again.
Ajax won the first leg without stress (2-0), and because they play better in front of their fans, it is safe to conclude that the Dutchmen are heading to the round of 16 with another win.
Ajax vs Union Saint-Gilloise prediction: Home team to win
Real Sociedad to wrap up the draw with a comfortable win: Real Sociedad vs Midtjylland
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Real Sociedad are too powerful for Midtjylland, and the return leg will only give them a chance to display their quality in front of their fans.
Real Sociedad won the first leg 2-1 away from home. The La Liga outfits have performed well in this competition, especially when they play at home. They are already in charge of the draw but would rather want to wrap it up with a win, thanks to their home form in this competition.
Real Sociedad vs Midtjylland prediction: Home team to win
Anderlecht and Fenerbahce to exchange goals: Anderlecht vs Fenerbahce
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Fenerbahce struggle to keep clean sheets away from home, and with Anderlecht scoring nonstop at home, the Turkish side is unlikely to come away with a clean slate.
Anderlecht scored in all four home matches in the Europa League, and Fenerbahce will be their next victim. The Turkish side put three goals past the Belgians in Turkey in the first leg, and it is only logical to expect them to score at least once in Belgium.
Anderlecht vs Fenerbahce prediction: Both teams to score - yes
Viktoria Plzen to avoid a defeat at home: Viktoria Plzen vs Ferencvaros
- Date: 20/02/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Viktoria Plzen are a difficult side to beat at home, and we expect them to avoid a defeat to Ferencvaros in the return leg.
Viktoria Plzen only lost at home to Manchester United in the Europa League, and Ferencvaros are not as strong as the Premier League side. The Czech Republic side lost the first leg and would rather avoid a defeat in the return leg if they cannot turn the tide around.
