Monday’s quarter-final double-header gets the mini-tournament format up-and-running with all the remaining fixtures set to be decided as one-off games at neutral venues in Germany.
Inter Milan face Bayer Leverkusen as the Italian outfit look to edge closer to their first European honours since winning the Champions League in 2009-10.
They have proven to be a formidable side under the tutelage of Antonio Conte this season and have to be regarded as serious contenders to go all the way.
It’s no surprise to see them priced at 10/3 to win the competition outright – Manchester United the only club to be rated at a shorter price – and the pair could meet in the final if they come through the next two games successfully.
The Nerazzurri finished second in Serie A in 2019-20 and head into Monday’s tie at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in fine form.
Romelu Ready to Fire
Conte’s men are unbeaten in nine, winning their last four, thanks in large part to Belgium international Lukaku, who has proven to be a big success since joining from Manchester United last summer.
The 27-year-old grabbed the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Getafe on Wednesday to secure Inter’s route through to the last-eight.
He has scored 30 times across all competitions this season and can be backed at 27/20 in the anytime goalscorer market.
Leverkusen, of course, can’t be completely overlooked after finishing fifth in the Bundesliga and reaching the DFB-Pokal final.
The German outfit lost both meetings with Italian opposition in the Champions League earlier this season, Juventus winning 5-0 on aggregate over their two group game engagements, and Inter should also have far too much quality.
United Set for Semi-Final Spot
Manchester United are big favourites to down FC Copenhagen and seal a spot in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Monday, while Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen are also set to scrap it out in Germany.
The Red Devils are the 9/5 favourites to win the Europa League outright while Monday’s opponents, FC Copenhagen, are the outsiders at 66/1.
Copenhagen showed up well when beating Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir 3-0 in the second-leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday, securing progression courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
However, Monday’s outing at the Koln’s RheinEnergieStadion, which will also host the final of the Europa League, is expected to provide a much tougher task for the Danish outfit.
Rampant Red Devils Can Outscore Danes
United have been in cruise control during this season’s Europa League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trusting fringe players to do the business, but he is expected to turn to more senior heads as they look to finish the campaign with a major piece of silverware.
The Red Devils have scored 13 goals in their four games since topping Group L and should have far too much firepower for Copenhagen.
Indeed, Mason Greenwood is a likely candidate to be among the goals, netting five times already in the competition, and he can be backed at 20/21 to register on Monday.
*All odds correct at time of writing
