Athletic Bilbao – Schalke
Schalke’s problems at the back are no secret to any casual observer of the Bundesliga. Amongst the top four sides in the league, Schalke has conceded the largest number of goals. It is their potency at the other end which has helped them escape many a time in matches. Against Bilbao in the first leg, Schalke was the better side in the first half. They took the lead in the second half and had to hold on for about half an hour.
Schalke instead ended up conceding three goals and allowing Bilbao to take a 2-4 lead away to Spain. A come-back for Schalke is improbable. In the weekend, they drew their match against Hoffenheim. Bilbao was beaten 2-0 by Barcelona. Bilbao’s concentration at the moment lies in the cup competitions and not in the league. They have a Copa Del Rey final to contest along with of-course negotiating their pathway to the Europa League final.
Bilbao genuinely looks like a side that is in the competition to win it. Their attack is absolutely brilliant and they have won four Europa League matches on the trot. With Huub Steven’s men on another rut after having recovered from a patch of bad form not too long ago, expect Bilbao to put the tie to bed early.
Prediction: Bilbao 2-1 Schalke
Hannover 96- Atletico Madrid
Hannover was on the verge of coming away with a first leg advantage due to the away goals rule but conceded a late goal in Madrid and now find themselves chasing the tie. Hannover’s home record in Europe is quite good- they haven’t lost a match in Europe in their two attempts to lift a trophy in a UEFA club competition.
Hannover won their weekend match against a very good Mönchengladbach side. They won by a score-line of 2-1. Hannover is having a dream run in this season’s Europa League. They weren’t expected to advance as far as they have. Considering that they can score quite freely at home on their day, expect the 96ers to give Atletico a tough time.
Hannover has already previously ousted a Spanish team from the competition. In the play-off round, they were given the toughest assignment of all the German teams involved, namely Sevilla.
In that match, in the first leg, Hannover won 2-1 thanks to a double from Jan Schlaudraff. In the second leg in Spain, they took the lead through Moa Abdellaoue. While the lead was cancelled out thanks to an own goal by Emmanuel Pogatetz, Hannover held on for the aggregate victory.
Prediction: Hannover 3-1 Atletico
