Braga have won eight of their last 11 home matches
Bologna have drawn their last two European encounters
Porto have won 16 of their 19 home matches in the league and Europe
After a dramatic set of round of 16 matches, the field of the Europa League has been trimmed to eight, with English interest in the shape of Aston Villa, who face Bologna, and Nottingham Forest, who visit Porto.
Braga and Real Betis get the midweek action started on Wednesday night, with Freiburg and Celta Vigo meeting in the other first leg.
Braga vs Real Betis (Wednesday, 5.45pm)
Braga produced a remarkable comeback against Ferencvaros to reach this round of the Europa League, coming from 2-0 down in the first leg to win 4-2 on aggregate after a 4-0 home success.
The Portuguese side have been on a remarkable run in their own back yard in this competition, keeping seven clean sheets, and they could keep their LaLiga opponents at bay.
Real Betis have only won one of their last eight games and looked pedestrian going forwards in their 0-0 draw with Espanyol at the weekend.
Score prediction: Braga 1-0 Real Betis
Bologna vs Aston Villa (Thursday, 8pm)
Bologna and Aston Villa have become familiar foes in recent years, meeting in last season’s Champions League and in the league phase of this competition.
Unai Emery’s side edged to narrow victories in both of those games, but they were at Villa Park and a trip to Italy could prove a much sterner task.
Bologna dumped out Roma in the last round and may prove a tough nut to crack. They have drawn four of their last six home games in Europe and should have enough to frustrate a Villa side who have only won three of their last eight.
Score prediction: Bologna 1-1 Aston Villa
Porto vs Nottingham Forest (Thursday, 8pm)
Porto have been rock solid at home this season and look set to get revenge for their 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the league phase of this competition.
The hosts have won 16 and drawn three of their 19 home games in Europe and the Portuguese top flight this term. Forest, meanwhile, may be distracted by their battle against Premier League relegation and could be in for a tough evening.
Score prediction: Porto 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Freiburg vs Celta Vigo (Thursday, 8pm)
Celta Vigo are unbeaten in their last eight away games and could extend that run against Freiburg, who suffered a disheartening defeat to Bayern Munich at the weekend.
The Bundesliga side were 2-0 up with 10 minutes to go against their illustrious opponents but ended up losing 3-2 and could struggle to bounce back.
Celta Vigo are in fine goalscoring form and could expose the defensive issues of the hosts to secure a draw.
Score prediction: Freiburg 2-2 Celta Vigo
