There are just eight teams left in this season’s edition of the Europa League, eight teams with a chance of lifting Europe’s other club trophy.
UEFA Europa League 2014, quarterfinal preview: Juventus faces tough away test
Eight teams remain in the chase for Europe’s other major club title.
Gabriele Maltinti
Serie A leaders Juventus are the clear favorites of the remaining teams, though that rarely means anything in knockout tournaments. None the less, it's probably their title to lose if they play up to their potential. Lyon will get them a solid test though, especially if the Old Lady struggles like they did in the Round of 16 against Fiorentina.
Last year's runner-up Benfica survived against Tottenham and will face high-scoring AZ Alkmaar, while fellow Portuguese side FC Porto get Sevilla in what should be an entertaining match-up. With both sides looking increasingly safe in their positions in the Primeira Liga table, chances are their attentions will be firmly on trying to claim some European silverware.
FC Basel and Valencia are the two weakest remaining clubs, at least on paper, but one will find themselves in the semifinals. Los Che's inconsistent league form makes them a tough team to make predictions about, while Basel were lucky to get past Salzburg in the last round.
Here’s the full schedule of Thursday’s matches. Kick-off for all games is set for 3:05pm ET.
AZ Alkmaar vs. Benfica
FC Basel vs. Valencia
FC Porto vs. Sevilla FC
Lyon vs. Juventus
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