UEFA  Europa League - Round of 16

The Europa League takes its turn in the European spotlight, after two days of Champions League competitions, the secondary tournament rolls out the second legs in what has been a highly competitive Round of 16.

With a star studded line-up of European heavy-weights, all vying for a Quarter Finals appearance, the journey continues Thursday, when each club looks to turn those ambitions into a reality.

Enjoy the final legs in the Round of 16, we are certain to have yet another outstanding day of top notch matches, while looking for the best value on the board to maximize the returns on your Investments.

20519 Lyon - 20520 CSKA Moscow

Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France

3-15-2018 - 4:05 pm ET

The featured match on the card, offers up Russian side CSKA Moscow traveling to France, where a youthful Lyon squad await them at the grand Groupama Stadium, after the French outfit escaped Moscow with a 0-1 result, they now look to preserve that slim lead, while taking another step to playing in their home town for the Europa League finals.

CSKA Moscow were stymied if front of their own fans on Match Day 1, after failing to break down Lyon's stubborn back-line.

The Russian's must now attempt to have more success than they did the first go round, with a score or bust mentality, the Horses are talented enough to achieve the feat.

Young phenom Viktor Goncharenko continues to rise up the managerial ranks, after making his mark with BATE Borisov in Belarus, which was highlighted by an appearance as the youngest manager to coach in a Champions League match at age 31.

Goncharenko then earned the opportunity to manage Russian giants CSKA Moscow, where he promptly lead his side to a 2nd place finish, in just his first full season as the head man in charge.

CSKA have taken an alternative route to joining the Europa League representatives, after flaming out of Group A during Champions League play, the Militarians qualified to keep participating in European fixtures by finishing 3rd in their group.

The Moscow side will take to the pitch in their regular 3-5-2 formation, preferring a 3 man back-line, the Russians are in favor of two Strikers at the top of the line, with a heavy amount of Midfielders doing all the dirty work, as they are continuosly working to connect the offense.

Pontus Wernbloom and Ahmed Musa will look to link up with their Midfield partners, the duo are highly effective at holding the ball up, while incorporating one another in the scheme of the attack, with a combined 7 Goals and 3 Assists in all competitions, the two-some look to take advantage of the playing time they receive in Europe's secondary tournament.

The Red-Blues will be without two key contributors during their trip to France, Viktor Vasin and Mario Fernandes will be crucial misses, as they play important roles from their Midfield positions, expect CSKA to feel the effect left by the hardworking combination of players, which could make their task a bit harder to accomplish on Match Day 2.

CSKA Moscow have shown their quality away from home, posting double figures on multiple occurrence , while scoring an average of 1.7 Goals per match, during their last 3 European road games.

The CSKA defense on the other-hand, has been unable to keep a clean sheet during their travels, conceding an average of 1.3 Goals per match, during their last 3 European road games.

Lyon are a up and coming club within the European ranks, with a plethora of young attacking players throughout their squad, the French unit strike fear into most defenses that step onto the pitch with them.

The French outfit enter the match day with an additional motivation, their is the possibility of playing at their own Stadium for the Finals, the young upstarts are highly motivated to keep the dream alive.

Les Gones have struggled as of late domestically, falling to 4th place in Ligue 1, placing an added emphasis on doing well in this specific event.

Now with the the return leg back at luxurious Groupama Stadium, the hosts feel confident they have the ability to close out CSKA, in route to a Quarter Finals appearance.

Bruno Génésio has kept the tradition of attacking football in place during his time as manager with Lyon.

Génésio understands the clubs philosophies more than most, having grown up with the team within their youth ranks, after his appointment in 2015 the French man has continued to keep a winning mentality, in what has been a successful organization over the years.

The Kids are internationally known as an attacking side, playing out of their customary 4-3-3 formation, Lyon are clinical within counter attacking situations, with the advantage of having explosive wing play, the hosts will create a large amount of shots on goal.

The individual skill possessed within their front-line players are truly unique, each match allows for their creativities to be on full display.

Memphis Depay, Mariano and Bertrand Traoré will not disappoint those who enjoy watching attacking football, while CSKA will find their pace and continuity a definite challenge to contain over the course of 90 minutes, with 42 combined Goals in all competitions, the combination of danger men are sure to leave their mark, as they look to close the Round of 16 out.

Like their Russian opponents, Lyon will be without a key figure in their starting eleven, Nabil Fekir unfortunately is sidelined due to injury, after finally having the breakout season many had predicted, the French man will be a huge miss.

Fekir is considered one of the more well rounded players on the squad, his 21 Goals and 7 Assists to date, his productivity will be a large miss in this second leg affair.

Lyon have shown their true qualities while at the Groupama, scoring an average of 2.8 Goals permatch, in their last 4 Europa League home games.

The Lyon back-line has been stout despite being labeled an offensive club, conceding an average of 0.5 Goals per match, in their last 4 Europa League home games.

Prediction:

This match should be fairly cut and dry, CSKA must score in order to have any chances of progressing to the next round, but in doing so they run the chance of leaving themselves exposed for counter attacking situations, where Lyon truly excel, and the Russians struggle to defend.

Lyon come into this match having won 7 of the last 8 European fixtures they have been apart of, while failing to lose at home during the Europa League since 2014.

CSKA are well equipped to break that streak, the Militarians will be poised to attack the Kids weaknesses, which include chances created on goal and Set Piece opportunities, expect a maximum effort provided by the visitors to obtain their objective.

Even with Lyons apparent deficiencies, I still expect the French side to prevail in this match up, the amount  of talent within their overall squad, along with playing on Groupama pitch, will ultimately be to much for CSKA to overcome.

Tips:

Over 2.25  -125 / 1.8 - Total Full Time Goals

Lyon  -0.75  -110 / 1.91   -   Full Time Spread

Lyon - Team Total Over 1.5  -115 / 1.87 - Goals

*Europa League Bonus Tips*

20504 Athletic Bilbao - 20505 Marseille

3-15-2018 - 2:00 pm ET

Both Teams To Score - "YES" -135 / 1.74

20507 Dynamo Kiev - 20508 Lazio

3-15-2018 - 2:00 pm ET

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -110 / 1.91

20510 Zenit St. Petersburg - 20511 RB Leipzig

3-15-2018 - 2:00 pm ET

RB Leipzig  - PK / DNB  -110 / 1.91 - Full Time

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

20513 Viktoria Plzen - 20514 Sporting Lisbon

3-15-2018 - 2:00 pm ET

Both Teams To Score - "YES"  -140 / 1.71

Viktoria Plzen - Team Total Over  1.25  -120 / 1.83 - Goals

20516 Arsenal - 20517 AC Milan

3-15-2018 - 4:05 pm ET

Over 2.5 -125 / 1.8 - Total Full Time Goals

AC Milan - Team Total  Over 1  -115 / 1.91 - Goals

20522 Red Bull Salzburg - 20523 Borussia Dortmund

3-15-2018 - 4:05 pm ET

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -125 / 1.8

Best Of Luck To All