Europa League Predictions: Roma, Lyon, Villa Face Key Tests

The Europa League round of 16 continues on Thursday, March 19, with seven second legs still unresolved after Braga became the first quarterfinalist on Wednesday. Roma, Lyon and Aston Villa are among the biggest names still in the competition, and every remaining tie is separated by no more than a single goal.

Braga’s 4-0 win over Ferencváros completed a comeback from a two-goal deficit and set the tone for a night in which fine margins are likely to decide the quarterfinal lineup. Several of Thursday’s ties remain level or within one goal, leaving the last eight open heading into the return fixtures.

Midtjylland vs. Nottingham Forest — Danish Side Hold The Edge

Midtjylland return home with a 1-0 lead after winning the first leg at the City Ground, and they have already beaten Nottingham Forest once before in this season’s league phase. Cho Gue-sung’s late header gives the Danish side the advantage, while Forest must overturn another defeat against the same opponent.

Nottingham Forest also face pressure in the Premier League, and that wider context clouds their European prospects. Vítor Pereira won his first match in this competition but has failed to win any of his next six, with goals proving difficult to find. A low-scoring night again looks the most likely outcome.

Prediction: Midtjylland 1–0 Nottingham Forest

Lyon vs. Celta Vigo — Endrick Could Tilt A Tight Contest

Lyon head into the second leg level at 1-1 after Endrick scored the equaliser against 10-man Celta Vigo in Spain. The Brazilian loanee now has 10 goal contributions in 12 matches and has become a central figure in Lyon’s push for a quarterfinal place.

Paulo Fonseca’s side have drawn four matches in a row, including the weekend stalemate with Le Havre, but the French club’s earlier run of 13 consecutive wins shows their ceiling in this competition. Celta Vigo arrive with a strong away record in La Liga and only three defeats in the calendar year, yet the suspension of Borja Iglesias removes an important attacking option.

Prediction: Lyon 2–1 Celta Vigo

Aston Villa vs. Lille — Villa Park Advantage Matters Again

Aston Villa carry a 1-0 lead into the second leg after last week’s win in France, and Unai Emery’s side will expect Villa Park to provide another strong European backdrop. The Premier League club suffered another domestic setback in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend, which only sharpened the sense that the Europa League may offer their clearest route back into elite continental competition next season.

Lille arrive in Birmingham after winning their last three away matches in all competitions, but they need a victory by at least two goals to avoid the tie drifting toward extra time or penalties. Bruno Génésio’s side lost at Villa Park in the 2023-24 Europa Conference League, and Villa’s familiarity with these nights may prove decisive again.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1–1 Lille

Roma vs. Bologna — Stadio Olimpico Set For Tight Italian Decider

Roma and Bologna resume at 1-1 after last week’s first leg, guaranteeing that one Serie A side will reach the quarterfinals. The Stadio Olimpico hosts one of the most balanced ties of the round, with little separating the teams on the scoreboard even if their recent form points in slightly different directions.

Roma come into the match without a win in four after defeat to Como on Sunday, while Bologna have won six of their last eight and have built a habit of narrow, controlled victories under Vincenzo Italiano. Even so, Roma’s greater individual quality could still shape a tight night in the capital, especially if Donyell Malen continues the form he has shown since arriving in the winter window.

Prediction: Roma 1–0 Bologna

Full Europa League Matchday 3/19 Predictions

The rest of Thursday’s schedule follows the same pattern, with several ties likely to go deep into the night.

• Midtjylland vs. Nottingham Forest — 1–0
• Freiburg vs. Genk — 3–1 after extra time
• Lyon vs. Celta Vigo — 2–1
• Aston Villa vs. Lille — 1–1
• Porto vs. Stuttgart — 3–2
• Real Betis vs. Panathinaikos — 1–1
• Roma vs. Bologna — 1–0

With Braga already through, Thursday’s fixtures will complete the Europa League quarterfinal field. Roma, Lyon and Aston Villa all begin the night with realistic chances of progression, but the one-goal margins across the board leave little room for error.