Europa League & Conference League semi-final first legs: TV channel, predictions & more
By Sean Walsh
Europa League and Europa Conference League football returns on Thursday with four sets of semi-final first legs.
There are still plenty of big-hitters left in both competitions and we have an intriguing set of narratives to boot.
Can Jose Mourinho topple a disciple in Xabi Alonso? Will West Ham actually make a European final? What could possibly thwart Juventus in their pursuit of continental glory this time?
Let's dive in.
*All games kick off at 20:00 BST on Thursday 11 May
Europa League
Juventus vs Sevilla
- Where are they playing? Allianz Stadium, Turin
- Who is the referee? Daniel Siebert (GER)
- Who is the VAR? Bastian Dankert (GER)
- TV channel? BT Sport 2 (UK), Paramount+/TUDN USA (USA), DAZN (Canada)
Predicted lineups
Juventus predicted lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bremer, Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria, Vlahovic
Sevilla predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Bono; Navas, Bade, Gudelj, Acuna; Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Torres, Lamela; En-Nesyri
Preview
Juventus will have to topple Europa League kings Sevilla if they are to reach their first European final in six years.
The Andalusian side dumped Manchester United out in the quarter-finals with a stunning (and to a point, hilarious) comeback over two legs and have finally found some form at the back-end of a subpar season - they are on a run of one loss in nine games.
The Bianconeri have managed to arrest their own recent slump and head into this off the back of an impressive 2-0 win at Atalanta.
On paper, this is a great battle between two European behemoths. In reality, it's going to be a seriously tough watch. Proceed with caution (just as Juventus and Sevilla will do).
Prediction: Juventus 1-1 Sevilla
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Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Where are they playing? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- Who is the referee? Michael Oliver (ENG)
- Who is the VAR? Stuart Attwell (ENG)
- TV channel? BT Sport 3 (UK), Paramount+/Vix+ (USA), DAZN (Canada)
Predicted lineups
Roma predicted lineup (3-4-3): Patricio; Mancini, Cristante, Ibanez; Zalewski, Bove, Matic, Spinazzola; Dybala, Abraham, Pellegrini
Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Palacios, Andrich, Bakker; Diaby, Adli, Wirtz
Preview
Roma's Serie A season may be going down the pan but they still have a formidable reputation in Europe under Mourinho.
They are the reigning Conference League holders and have a penchant for mounting late comebacks, though notably will not get the chance to play the second leg at home.
Bayer Leverkusen have made huge strides quickly under Alonso's guidance, but they've had a bit of a wobble lately and it would be a lot to ask them to enter a stage like the Stadio Olimpico and leave with a result.
Prediction: Roma 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Europa Conference League
West Ham United vs AZ Alkmaar
- Where are they playing? London Stadium, London
- Who is the referee? Halil Umut Meler (TUR)
- Who is the VAR? Paolo Valeri (ITA)
- TV channel? BT Sport 1 (UK), Paramount+/Vix+ (USA), DAZN (Canada)
Predicted lineups
West Ham predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Johnson, Ogbonna, Aguerd, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
AZ predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos, De Wit; Reijnders, Clasie; Lahdo, Mijnans, Van Brederode; Pavilidis
Preview
West Ham have reached back-to-back European semi-finals for the first time in their history and their form is peaking at the right time to go one step further this time around.
David Moyes' Hammers were eliminated at this stage of last year's Europa League semi-finals by eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
Standing in their way this time around are Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, who have been on a tear of late and have already eliminated the likes of Lazio and Anderlecht from the competition.
That said, West Ham's notable comeback draw against Arsenal and beating of Manchester United proves they've rediscovered their big-game nous and they should head to the Netherlands next week with a lead to defend.
Prediction: West Ham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar
Fiorentina vs Basel
- Where are they playing? Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
- Who is the referee? Francois Letexier (FRA)
- Who is the VAR? Jerome Brisard (FRA)
- TV channel? BT Sport 4 (UK), Paramount+/Vix+ (USA), DAZN (Canada)
Predicted lineups
Fiorentina predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodo, Martinez Quarta, Igor, Biraghi; Mandragora, Amrabat; Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Ikone; Jovic
Basel predicted lineup (3-4-3): Hitz; Lang, Adams, Lopez; Ndoye, Burger, Xhaka, Millar; Amdouni, Males, Zeqiri
Preview
Over in Italy, slight tournament favourites Fiorentina welcome Basel to the famous Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The hosts only just made it through to this stage by the skin of their teeth having surrendered a three-goal lead against Lech Poznan in the previous round before killing the tie for good.
They can't afford to be so careless against a Basel team who managed to overcome Nice in the last eight.
Prediction: Fiorentina 2-1 Basel