The Europa Conference League returns on Thursday night with the last-16 first leg of the tournament.
The Conference League has some fantastic matchups, and the trophy could once again go to an unlikely team.
West Ham may be struggling in the Premier League for points, but they have so far thrived in the Conference League. Thursday’s last-16 first leg between AEK Larnaca and West Ham will be their first-ever meeting.
The Hammers are on a two-match losing streak in all competitions heading into the match with AEK Larnaca. West Ham are just outside the relegation zone in the league. David Moyes and company are paying for their performances in the Conference League group stage.
AEK Larnaca will hope to keep West Ham out of goal. The Hammers were outscored 7-1 across their last two matches. AEK are blowing hot and cold, with one win from their last four matches in all competitions.
Anderlecht and Villarreal will play a massive tie in the last 16. The Belgians and the Spanish are two of the biggest clubs left in the competition. Thursday will be the first meeting in Europe between Anderlecht and Villarreal.
Villarreal topped their Conference League group with four wins, one draw, and one defeat. The Yellow Submarine are on a two-match winning streak in La Liga. The win streak ended a four-match losing streak in all competitions.
Anderlecht are winless in back-to-back matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 weekend defeat to Gent in the Pro League. Anderlecht overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their Conference League last-16 playoffs thanks to a penalty shootout versus Ludogorets.
Sheriff Tiraspol will host France’s Nice in the first leg of the Conference League last 16. Both teams are in decent form and Tiraspol’s home ground isn’t easy to play at.
Nice are playing well and are unbeaten in nine straight games in all competitions. The Eagles conceded just three goals across those nine fixtures.
Sheriff won four of their last five matches in all competitions. The team is coming off a 3-1 win against Partizan Belgrade in the Conference League's last 16 playoffs. Sheriff are currently on the winter break in the Moldovan league.
Fiorentina will face their chances of winning the Europa Conference League after Serie A’s Roma won the competition last season. Sivasspor are one of two Turkish teams left in the competition. The Reds are battling relegation in the Super Lig, which could give Fiorentina an upper hand in the tie.
Sivasspor lost over the weekend to Fatih Karagumruk 4-3. The Reds have an away record of seven wins, two draws, and eight defeats in all competitions.
Fiorentina are in excellent form, with five consecutive unbeaten matches. La Viola defeated AC Milan at home 2-1 at the weekend, for their third straight win.