Predictions: Europa League quarter-finals

It's April which means we're approaching the business end of the European football season.

This week sees the first legs of the Europa League quarter-finals with some mouth-watering ties in prospect.

Matchday FM pundits Chris Coughlin and Chris Stott give their opinions on who will make the final four...

Ajax vs AS Roma

Chris Stott

Ajax haven’t lost since their final champions league group stage game against Atalanta and sit comfortably at the top of the Dutch league, while Roma are up against it to make europe at all next season and their last 2 wins have both been in this competition. Yet both are very much real contenders for the europa league. Mkhitaryan is set to miss out for Roma which is a real blow and that loss of creativity will make it even more difficult to break down an Ajax defence who have conceded just 2 goals since the end of February. The dutch side for me have the better of this match up over the two games.

Prediction: Ajax

Chris Coughlin

Roma were going really well until recently in Serie A but a run of three games without a win in Italy has shifted the emphasis onto the Europa League with Paulo Fonseca's side now eight points off fourth placed Atalanta. It was, however, a really impressive win for them against Shakhtar Donetsk in the last round especially when you consider that the Ukrainian's did the double over Real Madrid in this season's Champions League group stage. Unfortunately for Roma, Ajax are a machine. They haven't lost in any competition since December and score goals for fun - 85 in the Eredivisie which is 21 more than the next highest scorers AZ Alkmaar. They have a brilliant blend of youth in the like of David Neres and Ryan Gravenberch combined with the experience of Dusan Tadic and Davy Klaasen. Even without club record signing Sebastian Haller after a mistake that every Football Manager players is all too aware of, I'm backing Ajax to make the final four.

Prediction: Ajax

Arsenal Vs Slavia Prague

Chris Stott

Slavia have been the surprise package of this season’s competition, already seeing off Leicester and Rangers. Arsenal have too target the Europa League to save their season, but limped past both Benfica and Olympiakos. The Gunners’ attitude and application is key here, and there’s just something not quite right about both, especially among the senior players. Slavia are a tough nut to crack, as Leicester in particular found out. Many in the football community would like to see Arsenal do a number on Prague because of the “incident” against Rangers, but honestly I think the Czech side are well equipped to cause another major shack here and increase the pressure on Arteta.

Prediction: Slavia Prague

Chris Coughlin

I'm really excited for this tie because of the pressure that's on Mikel Arteta. Never mind Champions League qualification, there is a very real possibility that this competition is Arsenal's only route into any sort of European football next term given the Gunners' disastrous domestic showing. Slavia have show how good a side they are after knocking out both Leicester and Rangers on their way to the quarters. They're unbeaten in the Czech top flight and are set for the title so may treat this as a free hit. They have more than enough to punish Arsenal. It wouldn't surprise me whatsoever to see Slavia win this tie especially given the injury news regarding Kieran Tierney but I'm going to just about side with the Gunners given how important this tournament is to their short-and-long term aims. The likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette can't afford to go hiding here.

Prediction: Arsenal

Zagreb Vs Villarreal

Chris Stott

This really should be Spurs in this tie but full credit to Zagreb who pulled off an incredible comeback in the last round. Other than at Spurs, the Croations haven't lost since mid January, only conceding 4, including those scored by Tottenham. Villarreal will find it tough to break these down, but will be buoyed by the fact they have won their last 5 games in all competitions. Gerard Moreno is fresh from a hat trick in the league and will be a key man for the Yellow Submarine over the two ties. They too can defend and I think they have the edge in attack. Prediction: Villarreal

Chris Coughlin

Unai Emery lives for the Europa League doesn't he? The Spaniards are in very good shape right now both domestically and in Europe under the guise of a coach who has had unprecedented success in this competition with Sevilla winning three titles between 2014 & 2016. They face a Dinamo Zagreb side who are still on cloud nine after their sensational Mislav Orsic inspired comeback against Spurs, surely one of the greatest nights in their history. They are, however, embroiled in a title race with Osijek back in Croatia with only the winner getting the chance to qualify for next season's Champions League. That could provide a potential distraction while Villareal know this competition is their only route to Europe's top table next season. I'm going for Emery to continue working his Europa League magic.

Prediction: Villareal

Granada Vs Manchester United

Chris Stott

The real enemy here for Manchester United is complacency. Granada are way off the pace in La Liga and have just 3 wins in 7 games, and scraped through against Molde after disposing of Napoli, again, just! They have relied heavily on their home form to progress but Manchester United have shown that playing away from home suits them. If we see the level of performance that the Red Devils served up against Real Sociedad, then this tie is done and dusted in the first leg. If United do stutter and falter away from home, I’d still back their much more talented group to bounce back at home. But I can’t see anything but a United victory in both legs if the attitude is right.

Prediction: Manchester United

Chris Coughlin

For me, Granada are the weakest team left in the competition which sounds strange and possibly disrespectful given that they are ninth in La Liga. They have, however, lost three of their last four games in the league and their last three in all competitions including the second-leg against Molde. I agree with Stotty when he says United are their only enemy in this tie because, if they play even somewhere near their best, they'll see this job through no problem. They're well set for a top four finish which potentially takes pressure off their European journey but Ole Gunnar Solksjaer will be desperate to get hold of his first trophy as Red Devils boss. United are overwhelming favourites here and rightfully so.

Prediction: Manchester United