UEFA Europa Conference League is the third-level European club tournament, currently in its second season. There were initially 177 teams in the competition, but we are now down to 32, and February 23 and 24 mark the second leg of the knockout round play-offs, which will yield the Round of 16. Check out our soccer betting thoughts on the eight matches set for February 23.
Soccer News: UEFA Europa Conference League Predictions
Thursday, February 23
Anderlecht vs Ludogorets (12:45 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 0-1
Anderlecht to win: +210 / Draw +1500 / Ludogorets to win: +4000
Igor Thiago delivered a header in the first half to give Ludogorets the home win in the first leg, and after that, they retreated into a defensive shell. Even so, Anders Dreyer rang a shot off the post and Benito Raman whiffed on a breakaway, either of which would have changed the game dramatically. Anderlecht is underperforming in the Belgian first division, with just two wins in their last ten home matches across all competitions, dropping six and failing to score in five. It’s not hard envisioning one of the two value outcomes to happen here. Draw.
Partizan vs Sheriff (12:45 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 1-0
Partizan to win: +100 / Draw +240 / Sheriff +267
Partizan earned a key away goal in the first leg, thanks to Ricardo Gomes’ tally just before halftime. They eliminated Sparta Prague in this round last year, while Sheriff is looking for their first meaningful wins in a continental competition. This will be the fourth matchup between the two sides, and Sheriff has yet to score in any of them. Partizan is second in the Serbian Superliga this year with 49 goals, while Sheriff has only permitted six goals in the Moldovan first division, where they lead in that metric. Draw.
CFR Cluj vs Lazio (12:45 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 0-1
CFR Cluj to win: +280 / Draw +214 / Lazio to win: +110
Lazio suffered from an early red card to Patric in the 15th minute but won, 1-0, despite playing a man down in the first leg, thanks to a terrific goal from Ciro Immobile. Even with the man advantage, Cluj only notched one shot on target in the match and had just 39% possession. They bounced back with a 3-1 win over FC Arges Pitesi in the Romanian first division, but they have a huge hole to dig out of when Lazio comes to town. Lazio sent 13 shots after going down a man and should do even better at home with a full side. Lazio to win.
Dnipro-1 vs AEK Lamaca (12:45 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 0-1
Dnipro-1 to win: +390 / AEK Lamaca to win: +132
AEK takes a narrow lead on the road, facing Dnipro-1 in Slovakia as the Ukrainian side cannot host due to the ongoing invasion by Russia. AEK holds the top slot in the first division in Cyprus, while Dnipro-1 is part of a Ukrainian soccer league that is largely on hiatus due to the conflict. Dnipro-1 advancing this far is by all means heroic, but overcoming that deficit and winning seems beyond the realm of possibility at this point. AEK to win.
Gent vs Qarabag FK (3:00 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 0-1
Gent +240 / Draw +225 / Qarabag +122
Qarabag won thanks to a 78th-minute tally from Leandro Andrade in a game that Gent had dominated in terms of possession. However, Gent’s inability to put even one shot on target doomed them. They did come back with a 2-0 win over Oud-Heverlee Leuven in league play. Qarabag also won over the weekend, so can Gent reverse the outcome at home? Gent to win.
Lech Poznan vs Bodo / Glimt (3:00 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 0-0
Lech Poznan to win: +138 / Draw +250 / Bodo/Glimt to win: +240
The scoreless draw in the first leg demonstrated the offensive problems that both teams have shown all season. Lech Poznan is ninth in their division in goals scored after leading that league last season. They only mustered three shots against Bodo/Glimt, and they will need to push forward more rather than relying on their defense as heavily in the rematch. Lech Poznan to win.
Fiorentina vs Braga (3:00 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 4-0
Fiorentina to win: -125 / Draw: +320 / Braga to win: +375
Fiorentina comes in with a virtually impregnable lead, having stacked up four away goals in a shutout last week, with braces from Luka Jovic and Arthur Cabral. Braga did bounce back with a win over Arouca in their local league play, while Fiorentina drew with Empoli, 1-1. Even so, expect Fiorentina to adopt a conservative posture and let the game come to them – and then to jump on mistakes Braga makes on the attack. Fiorentina to win.
Basel vs Trabzonspor (3:00 pm ET)
Aggregate Score: 0-1
Basel to win: -122 / Draw +257 / Trabzonspor to win: +343
Basel continues to struggle, in the middle of a stretch of one win in six Super League games. Their last action was a 2-2 draw against Sevette over the weekend. Trabzonspor will arrive armed with the grim motivation of carrying the hopes of a Turkish nation ravaged by earthquakes. They have five wins in seven matches across all competitions, including a run to the quarterfinals of the Turkish Cup. Trabzonspor to win.
Bet Soccer Today
Xbet Betting Lines for the Game
Soccer Betting Odds
Love betting on Soccer matches? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date Betting Lines for Soccer
