Europa & Conference League Drama—Who Will Gain the First-Leg Edge?: Accumulator Tip for March 06

With the UEFA Champions League out of the question, it's time for the second and third-tier UEFA competitions to take over this Thursday. The UEFA Europa League and Conference League will brace our screens and teams will be battling for a crucial first-leg advantage in the last 16.

Copenhagen vs. Chelsea

Copenhagen currently leads the SuperLiga table with a one-point cushion after 20 games. The hosts failed to widen the point gap between them and second-placed Midtjylland when they played to a goalless draw against Aalborg. 

The Team of the City managed to book their spot in the UEFA Conference League last 16 by beating Heidenheim 3-4 on aggregate. They lost the first leg 2-1 at home and came guns blazing in the return leg to win 3-1 on the road.

Chelsea, who had lost three consecutive matches across all competitions, managed to redeem themselves by beating Southampton 4-0 at home on matchday 27 in the English Premier League. 

The Blues now turn their attention to the UEFA Conference League where they've met expectations to the fullest. The visitors finished atop the 36-team table with 18 points making them the only side that won all of their six games in the competition. 

Chelsea was in scintillating form in the group stages and they come into this match with a favourite tag. However, if we take a look at their away matches, something seems a bit off. They are winless in their last seven matches recording five losses and two draws. This is why I am backing the hosts to win or draw here.

• Bet Type: 1X

Fenerbahce vs. Rangers FC

Fenerbahce have been performing really well in the Turkish Super Lig. They are in second place with 61 points and are two points adrift of table-toppers Galatasaray. Last weekend, they beat Antalyaspor 3-0 at home to keep their title hopes alive.

The Yellow Canaries booked their spot in the UEFA Europa League last 16 courtesy of a 5-2 aggregate success against Anderlecht. They won 3-0 in the first leg and played to a thrilling 2-2 draw in the return leg.

Rangers FC, on the other hand, find themselves 16 points behind first-placed Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership. They had the opportunity to keep their faint title hopes alive by beating Motherwell on Saturday. However, to everybody's surprise, they lost 2-1 at home.

The Gers come into this match aiming to improve on that result and get back to the win column. The visitors didn't go through the knockout playoffs to secure their last 16 spot. Instead, they finished in eighth place in the 36-team table guaranteeing them direct qualification in this round.

Fenerbahce has been involved in high-scoring matches in the past weeks. Five of their last six matches have seen over 2.5 goals and I'm expecting a similar trend. Rangers can contribute to that total over with the visitors scoring eight goals in their last four matches.

• Bet Type: TO 2.5

Ajax Amsterdam vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Ajax Amsterdam have been in exceptional form leading up to this match. In the Eredivisie, they are on course for their first league title since lifting the prestigious silverware in the 2021-22 season. They lead at the top with an eight point cushion over second-placed PSV Eindhoven. 

The Amsterdammers prepared for this last 16 clash against Eintracht Frankfurt with a 1-0 away league win to Almere City on Sunday. Regarding how they got here, Francesco Farioli's men beat Union Saint-Gilloise 3-2 on aggregate to book their spot in this round. 

Eintracht Frankfurt are third in the Bundesliga standings and 19 points behind Bayern Munich at the summit. The visitors failed to build momentum heading into this clash as they lost 4-1 at home against title hopefuls Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

The Eagles won't dwell much on that result as they aim to gain a first leg advantage away from home. Unlike their opponents, Ajax Amsterdam, who had to go through the knockout playoffs to secure a spot in the last 16, they finished fifth in the 36-team table guaranteeing them safe passage to this round.

Ajax Amsterdam will be aiming to secure a win at home in the first leg. This is a side that has not gone beyond the last 16 since 2021-22 when they beat Young Boys 5-0 on aggregate. The visitors have not been performing well on the road. They have won just one of their last eight matches (D2, L5). That said, I'm backing the home side in the double chance market to win or draw. 

• Bet Type: 1X