Thursday's Europa League last-16 second-leg predictions and free football tips

Best bets

Ajax draw no bet vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Live on TNT Sports 6, 5.45pm Thursday
2pts 7-4 general

Ajax to qualify
Live on TNT Sports 6, 5.45pm Thursday
1pt 5-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Roma or draw double chance vs Athletic Bilbao
Live on TNT Sports 5, 5.45pm Thursday
1pt 10-11 bet365, Boyles

Thursday's Europa League predictions

Eintracht Frankfurt hold a 2-1 lead over Ajax as they host the Dutch giants in the second leg of their Europa League round-of-16 clash but the recent form of the Bundesliga side is a big reason to oppose them in the return match.

The Eagles have struggled to maintain their form since Omar Marmoush’s January departure to Manchester City and have now won just two of their last nine games - the first leg of this tie and a victory over Bundesliga relegation candidates Holsten Kiel.

They were beaten 2-1 by Union Berlin at the weekend and before that shipped eight goals in a pair of defeats to Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.

By contrast Ajax have won eight of their last ten games, and the two exceptions were the first leg of this tie plus a 2-1 second-leg defeat over Union Saint-Gilloise when they played the majority of the match with ten men.

Frankfurt’s goals in Amsterdam came from a deflected shot from distance and a strike that could have been overturned for a foul in the build up.

Ajax were unlucky not to get anything from that game and are worth supporting in the draw-no-bet market in the second leg, while they also look a big price to qualify for the next round.

Another away team who look overpriced are Roma, who hold a 2-1 advantage over Athletic Bilbao going into the second leg at Estadio San Mames.

The hosts will be without their two starting central defenders from the first leg as Dani Vivian came off injured and Yeray Alvarez was sent off.

A new-look back four could struggle to deal with a Roma side who have won seven of their last eight games and have Leandro Paredes and Gianluca Mancini returning from suspension.

Read more football predictions ...

Manchester United vs Real Sociedad predictions, betting tips and odds: Tired United set for Europa exit 

Rangers vs Fenerbahce predictions, betting tips and odds: Ibrox faithful in for a treat 

Chelsea vs Copenhagen predictions, betting tips and odds: Blues can get job done in style 

Football accumulator tips for Thursday March 13: Back our 11-2 acca with Kwiff 

Click for more free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.