UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Predictions 06/03/2025

Manchester United remain unbeaten in the Europa League after eight matches, and they will want to leave it that way when they take on Real Sociedad away from home in the round of 16 first leg. Both teams have met a couple of times in European competitions, but matches of this nature remain one to watch.

Tottenham have a tricky game against AZ Alkmaar away from home, while Athletic Bilbao will travel to Rome to entertain AS Roma. 

This week’s UEFA Europa League round of 16 first-leg predictions were based on current form, data, and expert knowledge.

UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg Predictions: 06/03/2025

Real Sociedad and Manchester United to struggle in the final third: Real Sociedad vs Manchester United

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 18:45
• Real Sociedad and Manchester United rarely display their attacking threats when they come up against each other, and the upcoming game may end similarly.

Real Sociedad and Manchester United have met several times in this competition, and their past results suggest the upcoming game may be drab. Three of their last five Europa League meetings ended with under 2.5 goals, and the last twice they met in the Champions League, less than three goals were scored.

Real Sociedad vs Manchester United prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Lyon and FCSB to exchange goals in Romania: FCSB vs Lyon

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 18:45
• FCSB and Lyon are yet to cross paths in this competition, but they have a short list of past meetings in the Champions League.

Lyon are unlikely to keep a clean sheet against FCSB due to their performances in away matches. The Frenchmen scored and conceded in three of their last four away Europa League matches, and with FCSB scoring goals at home in this competition, it is likely fans may see goals from both teams.

FCSB vs Lyon prediction: Both teams to score - yes

Fenerbahce to impress their fans: Fenerbahce vs Rangers

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 18:45
• Fenerbahce play their best at home, and they will relish the opportunity to repeat the same against Rangers.

Fenerbahce have played five home matches in the Europa League and lost only once, the one they had a red card against Athletic Bilbao. They are a difficult side to play against in Turkey, and with Rangers struggling to dominate away games, there’s a giant chance the Scottish side will return home with plenty of work to do in the return leg in Glasgow.

Fenerbahce vs Rangers prediction: Home team to win

AZ Alkmaar and Tottenham to entertain with goals: AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 18:45
• Matches involving either team are fond of ending with three or more goals, and there’s no reason not to expect the upcoming game to end similarly.

Six of AZ Alkmaar’s last ten Europa League matches ended with over 2.5 goals, including their two-legged playoff games against Galatasaray. Most of Tottenham’s Europa League matches ended with many goals, so expecting this showdown to produce loads of goals shouldn’t be a stretch.

AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Lazio to come away with a comfortable win: Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 21:00
• Lazio are the favorites to win the upcoming game against Viktoria Plzen, and their form in the Europa League League Phase explains why.

Lazio finished the league phase as the winners, winning six and drawing one in eight matches. Viktoria Plzen finished in 16th place and had to go through the playoff to set up a round-of-16 showdown with the La Liga outfits. There’s a huge difference in form between both teams, and we expect the favorites to come away with the win.

Viktoria Plzen vs Lazio prediction: Away team to win

Bodo/Glimt to score: Bodo/Glimt vs Olympiacos 

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 21:00
• Bodo/Glimt may encounter one or two issues coming up against Olympiacos, but getting on the scoreboard shouldn’t be a hassle.

Bodo/Glimt have one of the best attacks in this year’s Europa League campaign, and they almost score in every home game. They host Olympiacos, who have one of the best defenses in the competition, but they have the quality to find the back of the net at least once, having scored 20 goals in 10 matches.

Bodo/Glimt vs Olympiacos prediction: Home total goals: Over 0.5

Ajax and Eintracht Frankfurt to exchange goals: Ajax vs Eintracht Frankfurt

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 21:00
• Despite experiencing mixed results in their last four EL away matches, Eintracht Frankfurt is expected to score against Ajax.

Ajax and Eintracht Frankfurt look even, form-wise, and with the Germans scoring goals even in away matches, there’s little chance for the Dutchmen to come away with a clean sheet. The Bundesliga outfit scored and conceded in three of their last four UEL away matches, so they may repeat the same in the upcoming game.

Ajax vs Eintracht Frankfurt prediction: Both teams to score - yes

Athletic Bilbao to avoid a defeat in Rome: AS Roma vs Athletic Bilbao

• Date: 06/03/2025
• Kick-off: 21:00
• Athletic Bilbao lost just once in the Europa League League Phase, and their current form suggests they are unlikely to return to Spain with a defeat.

AS Roma finished outside the top eight following a poor start to the campaign but were still able to go through to the round of 16 following their success against FC Porto in the playoff. Athletic Bilbao are a different and better team than the Portuguese side this term, losing just once in eight Europa League games. Expecting them to avoid a defeat in Rome in their current form isn’t a stretch.

AS Roma vs Athletic Bilbao prediction: Away team to win or draw