Before the round – Europa Conference League 8th Finals (17/03/2022)

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The Europa Conference League has been entertaining to say the least. Leicester City remain the bookies’ favourite to win the competition as it heads into the last 16 second leg fixtures. Will the Foxes earn progress to the quarterfinals or will Rennes overturn the 2-0 deficit at home?

AZ Alkmaar - Bodo/Glimt

It is safe to say Norway’s Bodoe/Glimt are Europe’s Cinderella team. The Norwegian champions knocked off Celtic in the Europa Conference League playoffs and are now one positive result away from qualifying for the quarterfinals.

AZ Alkmaar are on a two-match losing streak in all competitions. They have hit a bad patch of form at the wrong time. The tie is not out of reach, however. AZ Alkmaar fell 2-1 in Norway and are just one goal away from leveling the aggregate score.

Bodoe/Glimt are still in the close season domestically. Their form in the Europa Conference League has gone against conventional thinking that they would lack form due to Norway’s Eliteserien not being active until later this month. A 90th-minute penalty gave them the advantage. Can Bodo/Glimt keep it?

• AZ Alkmaar have succeeded in keeping a clean sheet in their most recent 3 home UEFA Europa Conference League games.
• FK Bodo/Glimt are undefeated in their last 12 UEFA Europa Conference League games in a row.
• The team of AZ Alkmaar have managed to win their last 3 home games in UEFA Europa Conference League.
• FK Bodo/Glimt have achieved a 3 game half time/full time winning streak in UEFA Europa Conference League.
• Prediction: AZ Alkmaar @1.55

FC København - PSV Eindhoven

PSV Eindhoven are unbeaten in 10 straight games in all competitions. In the first leg of their Europa Conference League tie with Copenhagen, the Lightbulbs drew 4-4 in the match of the night. PSV Eindhoven had to come back to dramatically draw the game.

Copenhagen will be furious that they allowed a lead to slip to PSV Eindhoven. Now, they have no advantage due to the away goals rule being scrapped in Europe. Copenhagen are on a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. The Lions will fancy the chance of winning at home.

Roger Schmidt’s team was down 3-1 at halftime at home to Copenhagen before mounting a comeback. The manager will stress to his players that Copenhagen cannot be taken lightly. PSV Eindhoven kept their Eredivisie title hopes alive with a 1-0 win versus Utrecht at the weekend.

• FC København haven't lost in 12 of their last 13 games in UEFA Europa Conference League.
• On average, PSV Eindhoven have conceded 1.67 goals in their last matches in UEFA Europa Conference League.
• FC København have scored at least one goal in their last 13 league games.
• In their 4 most recent UEFA Europa Conference League matches, FC København have managed to score 2+ goals.
• Prediction: Draw @3.75

Stade Rennais - Leicester City

Consistency is something that Leicester City have lacked all season long. After defeating Rennes 2-0 in the first leg, the Foxes lost to Arsenal 2-0 in the Premier League. Rennes bounced back from the loss to Leicester city with a 4-2 Ligue 1 win over Lyon.

Rennes have been strong at home with a record of 13W-3D-3L. They must score at least two goals in regulation without conceding to Leicester City. Conceding a goal will likely end any chances the Black and Red have of overturning the tie.

Leicester City are likely putting all of their focus on the Europa Conference League. Brendan Rodgers will see the tournament as being winnable. Leicester City are the bookies’ favourite to win the Europa League at the odds of 7/2. They have one foot in the quarterfinals.

• There are no losses for Stade Rennais in 8 of their most recent 9 games (UEFA Europa Conference League).
• Leicester City have won their last 3 matches in UEFA Europa Conference League by at least 2 goals.
• Stade Rennais have scored an average of 2.00 goals in their games in UEFA Europa Conference League.
• Leicester City have scored an average of 3.00 goals in their league games.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @1.85

AS Roma – Vitesse Arnhem

Roma squeezed by Vitesse in the Europa Conference League last 16 first leg with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Sergio Oliveira, who was later sent off. Now, the Italians aim to park the bus at home.

Vitesse’s form is wavering. They are winless in back-to-back games in all competitions. Eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions finished without a win.

Roma, on the other hand, are unbeaten in six straight games. Yes, four of those games, including Sunday’s 1-1 stalemate with Udinese, finished as draws. Roma are currently 11/2 to win the Europa Conference League.

• AS Roma have managed to win at HT/FT their last 3 UEFA Europa Conference League games in a row.
• Vitesse Arnhem have won just 1 of their last 6 travels in all competitions.
• AS Roma are unbeaten in 8 of their 9 most recent matches (UEFA Europa Conference League).
• Vitesse Arnhem have conceded at least 1 goal in 4 of their previous 6 away encounters in all leagues.
• Prediction: AS Roma @1.53