International Friendlies

Adelaide have seven points from the last nine available, with four wins and just one defeat in their last seven games. United should be able to overcome an out-of-form Wellington side, who have four defeats and now wins in their last six games, but the visitors can at least get on the scoresheet. Phoenix have scored in eight consecutive away games and Adelaide have conceded in nine of their last 10 overall.

These two sides are meeting in the knockouts for the fifth straight year, and Real Madrid have won three of the previous four meetings, including the last two. The Spanish giants have won eight of their last 10 under new boss Arbeloa at the time of the draw, and they are one of the few sides in Europe with the individual talent to match City.

While Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in the summer’s Club World Cup, Enzo Maresca’s tactical tweaks were key in that victory. Months on, and the Blues look to have gone backwards. PSG clearly took issue with the Blues, and they can claim some revenge after eliminating three Premier League sides on their way to last season’s final.

Sporting are arguably the weakest of the top-eight sides, while Bodo have won four straight European games including home and away victories over Inter Milan. The Norwegian side went to the semis in the Europa League last year, and they can see off a Sporting side who overperformed their xG numbers at a huge rate in the League Phase.

Atletico Madrid were handily beaten by Arsenal and Liverpool in the League Phase, while they were a mess defensively against Club Brugge in the last round. Spurs won all four home games on their way to finishing fourth in the first round, and they can match an Atletico side who have been far from dominant in Europe in recent seasons.

Basel have a respectable haul of 20 points from 13 home games and they should be able to see off struggling Grasshoppers. The visitors have seven defeats in 13 trips and overall have just one win in their last 10 games.

Tottenham are out of form but they have at least been scoring. Both teams have scored in each of their last three games and Spurs have scored themselves in 11 of their last 12. Palace are on a 10-game scoring streak but they have just one clean sheet in their last nine away from home across all competitions. With both defences looking vulnerable and both attacks looking capable, backing both teams to score is a strong play in this Thursday night fixture.

This is a meeting between Switzerland’s top two but pacesetters Thun are out of sight with a 14 point lead at the top. Since losing to St Gallen in December, Thun have won 10 straight games and they can make it 11 on the spin as the visitors are in mixed form with just four wins in nine games since the winter break.

Lyon won the reverse fixture 1-0 back in August and they have been exceptional at home of late – winning nine in a row at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais – and home advantage should see them claim a win over Lens.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in five of Basel’s last seven games and in three of Grasshoppers’ last six. Basel have gone six games without a clean sheet at home and Grasshoppers score on average over a goal per-game so both sides should be able to contribute and combine for at least three goals.

Tottenham are out of form but they have at least been scoring. Both teams have scored in each of their last three games and Spurs have scored themselves in 11 of their last 12. Palace are on a 10-game scoring streak but they have just one clean sheet in their last nine away from home across all competitions. Tottenham have conceded at least twice in five straight games, while Palace have conceded more than once in four of their last seven league games. There is the potential here for a high-scoring affair and over 3.5 goals has a chance.

This is a meeting between Switzerland’s top two but pacesetters Thun are out of sight with a 14 point lead at the top. Since losing to St Gallen in December, Thun have won 10 straight games and they can make it 11 on the spin as the visitors are in mixed form with just four wins in nine games since the winter break. Thun have conceded in 12 of their last 14 games and St Gallen have scored in 13 of their last 14, so back the hosts to win and concede.

Lyon won the reverse fixture 1-0 back in August and they have been exceptional at home of late – winning nine in a row at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais – home advantage should see them claim a win here but Lens should be able to get on the scoresheet as they have scored in 17 successive games.

Richarlison scored for Spurs in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham and should return to the starting side for the first time since recovering from injury on Thursday. He saw a goal chalked off in the reverse fixture earlier this season, and he looks a contender for an anytime effort for the hosts.

Endrick impressed without scoring in Lyon’s defeat to Marseille at the weekend, recording two shots on target and assisting both of his side’s goals. He has two goals in as many games in this competition and looks a solid pick for an anytime effort on Thursday.

Thursday represents a chance for Igor Tudor to claim his first points as Spurs boss but he may have to settle for just the one, with a 2-2 draw looking a reasonable correct score prediction. Tottenham have conceded at least twice in five straight games and exactly twice in four of those. Meanwhile, Palace have conceded more than once in four of their last seven league games so there is the potential here for a high-scoring draw.

Goals at both ends seems probable but home advantage gives Lyon a clear edge and they are the more likely winners. Les Gones have won nine in a row at home and have scored exactly twice in three of their last five games, they can grind out a 2-1 cup success on Thursday.

Tottenham are out of form but they have at least been scoring. Both teams have scored in each of their last three games and Spurs have scored themselves in 11 of their last 12. Palace are on a 10-game scoring streak but they have just one clean sheet in their last nine away from home across all competitions. With both defences looking vulnerable and both attacks looking capable, backing both teams to score is a strong play in this Thursday night fixture.

Les Gones are on a 15-game scoring streak across all competitions and Lens have scored in 17 successive games. Lyon have also scored in all of their home games this season and Lens have scored in nine in a row on their travels. With both frontlines in form, goals at both ends looks likely.

Tottenham are out of form but they have at least been scoring. Both teams have scored in each of their last three games and Spurs have scored themselves in 11 of their last 12. Palace are on a 10-game scoring streak but they have just one clean sheet in their last nine away from home across all competitions. With both defences looking vulnerable and both attacks looking capable, backing both teams to score is a strong play in this Thursday night fixture.