Preview: 2014/15 UEFA Europa League – Round of 16

EVERTON FC - DYNAMO KYIV 60%-40%

It should be a quite balanced tie, but Everton should have something more.

FC DNIPRO – AFC AJAX 55%-45%

They were probably two team to get, especially Ajax, and they’ll face eachother. Both of them can’t complain, but the Ukrainian team should be a bit favorite.

FC ZENIT - TORINO FC 65%-35%

Zenit is stronger and favorite. Russian teams, Zenit included, sometimes have some bad days.
In that case Torino, that has a quite skilled Manager, could have few chances, considering that once Zenit was eliminated by Udinese. The winter break aftermaths should be over for Russian teams.

VFL WOLFSBURG – FC INTER 60%-40%

Wolfsburg is one of the favorite teams to win this Europa League, while FC Inter, after Torino, is probably the weaker Italian team.
Wolfsburg vs Fiorentina or Roma or Napoli would have been a 50-50 tie, but against Inter the German team should be a little bit favorite.

VILLARREAL CF - SEVILLA FC 50%-50%

A very balanced tie between two quite similar teams that are quite close in La Liga. I can’t see a favorite.

SSC NAPOLI – DYNAMO MOSKVA 55%-45%

Napoli has its bad days in Europe. Does Dynamo have them as well ?
Napoli has maybe more quality, but the Russian team is maybe more physical and solid.
The tactical aspect could be the key of this tie.

CLUB BRUGGE KV - BESIKTAS JK 45%-55%

Club Brugge was probably a team to get, but it doesn’t have to be understimated. They are quite physical but also have some talent, while Besiktas is probably more solid and showed to be not weaker than Tottenham and Liverpool.
The Turkish team has faced stronger opponents than CB so far, and should be a bit favorite, but the tie is quite open. Both teams could have had worse draws.

ACF FIORENTINA - AS ROMA 55%-45%

A very infamous draw for Italy because two of its best team will face eachother.
Roma is maybe stronger, but maybe I’d bet on Fiorentina, that usually takes EL more seriously, plays better, has a quite long cover, doesn’t have to fight for CL places in the League and doesn’t have to play always with Totti, who doesn’t run a lot and that sometimes could affect the teamwork.