Premier League in Europe

Champions League

Manchester United can advance in the Champions League by defeating Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford Tuesday. Anthony Elanga set the Red Devils up nicely for the return fixture when he scored a late tying goal in the first leg at Madrid. 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play against his former La Liga rival despite the quick two-day turnaround from Ronaldo’s hat trick performance in the Premier League Sunday. Chelsea travels to France to face Lille in the second leg of their Champions League tie. The Blues carry a two-goal advantage following their first leg win at Stamford Bridge and will hope for another performance from in-form Kai Havertz. Havertz has stepped to the fore of Chelsea’s attack in recent weeks, including his late winner versus Newcastle in league play Saturday. The German and American teammate Christian Pulisic scored the goals in the first leg versus Lille.   

Europa League 

West Ham provided itself an opportunity at London Stadium by keeping the deficit to a single goal in a first leg loss at Sevilla. The Spaniards, despite a track record of success in the Europa League and its predecessor UEFA Cup, have lost their last five away matches in European competitions. Thursday’s match could well turn on the fitness of West Ham attackers Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio who are both trying to overcome injuries and participate in West Ham’s effort to advance in Europe.

 

Europa Conference League

Leicester carries a two-goal advantage into its second leg match at Rennes. Rennes, fourth in their domestic table, is on a four-match winning run in Ligue 1 while Leicester will again be  without star striker Jamie Vardy. Leicester, however, realizes this competition is all they have left to play for this season and playing at home with a two-goal advantage should be enough to see the Foxes through.