Europa League Matchday 3 Showdowns: Expert Predictions and Must-Watch Clashes

While the Champions League has captured most of the spotlight during this week of European knockout football, Thursday evening provides the Europa League with a chance to shine brightly.

Europe's second-tier tournament has also advanced to the round of 16 stage, featuring eight compelling first-leg encounters scheduled for this week, with each matchup taking place in different nations throughout the continent.

Past European title holders Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Porto are among the teams set to compete, but will they be able to harness their distinguished histories to secure an advantage heading into the quarterfinals?

Here's how Sports Illustrated forecasts the Europa League matches will unfold.

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Bologna vs. Roma

Bologna vs. Roma

An all-Italian showdown represents the sole Europa League round of 16 fixture featuring two teams from the same country, with Bologna hosting Roma at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara for Thursday's opening leg.

The teams haven't faced each other since August when Roma secured a narrow Serie A victory, but the clash between two accomplished Italian managers—Bologna's Vincenzo Italiano and Roma's Gian Piero Gasperini—promises to deliver a captivating tactical encounter.

Roma enter as favorites to advance over both legs, positioned three spots and 12 points ahead of their opponents in Serie A, though Bologna arrive in excellent form for the first leg. Prior to last weekend's loss to Hellas Verona, they had secured five consecutive wins—four ending 1–0.

Roma's recent away form has been disappointing, as demonstrated by Sunday's loss at Genoa, but Gasperini brings Europa League-winning experience from his Atalanta tenure and possesses the stronger squad for these encounters.

Prediction: Bologna 1–1 Roma

Lille vs. Aston Villa

Lille vs. Aston Villa

Aston Villa's concerning Premier League slide has been primarily linked to the unavailability of key midfield players Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, with Unai Emery needing to discover new solutions in midfield to halt their decline.

Villa have gone winless in their last four outings and risk losing Champions League qualification despite occupying a Premier League top-four position for most of the campaign. Naturally, another pathway to Europe's elite competition lies in capturing the Europa League title.

As the season advances, Europa League specialist Emery may start focusing more on Thursday fixtures, but defeating a tricky Lille squad will present a challenging examination. Ligue 1's current sixth-placed team has already conquered sides like Roma, Monaco and Marseille this season.

The Villans maintain strong favoritism to progress, and justifiably so, particularly given Lille's inconsistent form since January. However, as demonstrated by the 2023–24 Conference League encounters between these teams, it will be fiercely contested throughout.

Prediction: Lille 0–1 Aston Villa

Celta Vigo vs. Lyon

Celta Vigo vs. Lyon

Kick-off time: 8 p.m. GMT / 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

Lyon excelled during the group stage by finishing atop the table, claiming victory in seven of their eight fixtures and comfortably advancing to the round of 16. Paulo Fonseca is performing exceptionally with the French side, and their 13-game winning streak spanning December to February demonstrates their potential threat.

The encouraging development for Celta Vigo is Lyon's recent struggles. Since that victorious run concluded, Fonseca's team has gone four matches without a win, and their dramatic loss to rivals Marseille two weeks ago was especially harmful to their Champions League qualification hopes.

Celta will look to capitalize on any instability within Lyon's squad and recover from their own late disappointment last Friday. Federico Valverde's injury-time winner condemned them to defeat against Real Madrid, ending their five-game unbeaten run and marking just their third loss this calendar year.

The Galicians shouldn't be overlooked despite their limited European experience, and Claudio Giráldez will be eager to secure a favorable result before traveling to the Groupama Stadium next week.

Prediction: Celta Vigo 2–2 Lyon

Nottingham Forest vs. Midtjylland

Nottingham Forest vs. Midtjylland

Kick-off time: 8 p.m. GMT / 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

Nottingham Forest harbor painful recollections from their latest encounter with Midtjylland. The teams previously met during the group stage at the City Ground, with the Premier League side then managed by Ange Postecoglou—their second of four coaches this campaign.

Forest suffered a crushing 3–2 home defeat to their Danish opponents, but they weren't the only team Midtjylland caught off guard during their journey to a third-place group stage finish. The Forest victory was among six triumphs for Mike Tullberg's squad.

Midtjylland may well shock Forest once more, with Vítor Pereira's team focusing on Premier League survival over European glory, though there exists a scenario where both objectives are attainable.

Displays and results have enhanced under the Portuguese manager, and the battles with Midtjylland can demonstrate Forest's development under their new leader.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2–1 Midtjylland

Matchday 3/12 Predictions

Matchday 3/12 Predictions