Tuesday, February 24th
Inter vs Bodo/Glimt - 21:00 CET
We don’t love picking the same tie as last week, but looking at the slate of games on Tuesday in the Champions League, it’s just so hard to go past this one.
The sensations from northern Norway have stunned Europe this season, beating Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and then Inter last week in the first leg of this play-off up in the Arctic Circle.
Bodo/Glimt thus hold a 3-1 lead in the tie, and moving to Milan, the pressure is very much on Cristian Chivu’s Inter, as Kjetil Knutsen and his troops look to keep the dream alive and reach the round of 16.
The hosts will be heavy favourites, but then again, they were last week too. What’s more, they will be without their injured captain and talisman Lautaro Martinez on Tuesday.
The situation is simple: Inter need to go on the attack, and they’ll be desperate for early goals, giving this match an urgency that makes it must-watch viewing.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle are in comfortable positions in their ties, while Atleti host Club Brugge with it all square still.
Wednesday, February 25th
Juventus vs Galatasaray - 21:00 CET
We were tempted to pick Real Madrid vs Benfica again this week, but putting aside all the (somewhat depressing) drama that has emerged in that tie, it doesn’t feel like the best match on offer on Wednesday.
In fact, we’ve gone to Turin, where Juve are hosting Galatasaray, looking to overturn a three-goal deficit after sensationally losing 5-2 in Istanbul last Tuesday, after being 2-1 up inside the first half-hour.
If this week’s match is just half as fun as the first leg, we're in for a real treat again. Sure, it’s a tall order for Luciano Spalletti's Old Lady, but that’s exactly what makes this fixture so enticing… An early 2-0 lead, and suddenly, this could be very much game on.
What's more, Gala's star striker Victor Osimhen is only just back from an injury and may not start, possibly boosting Juve’s chances of a miraculous turnaround. Did someone say remontada?
Also on Wednesday, PSG host Monaco holding a 3-2 lead, and Atalanta face Dortmund starting 2-0 down.
Follow the Champions League with Flashscore.
Thursday, February 26th
Plzen vs Panathinaikos - 18:45 CET
Thursday evening sees the second legs of the Europa and Conference Leagues knockout play-offs, and there’s plenty to enjoy across the 16 matches.
Of the early games, the most interesting is that between Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic and Greek giants Panathinaikos in the Europa League.The first leg ended 2-2 in Athens, and now the teams meet again in Pilsen with everything to play for.
Quite remarkably, Plzen managed to finish the league phase unbeaten and only conceded three goals across their eight matches, and yet still finished outside the top eight.
Maintaining their unbeaten run last week, thanks to an 80th-minute equaliser, was vital, and they’ll fancy their chances of progressing to the round of 16 at home.
Panathinaikos, however, have outscored Plzen in the competition this season and won’t be holding back. This one stinks of extra time or penalties!
Check out the other Europa League fixtures here.
Crystal Palace vs Zrinjski - 21:00 CET
Moving to the late fixtures on Thursday, and over to the Conference League, Premier League side Crystal Palace find their season somewhat on the line…
The South London club have struggled to find wins this year, although they have snatched two in their last four following a dismal run of a dozen games unbeaten across competitions.
That poor form saw them slide into the Conference League play-offs, and last week, they were unable to beat Bosnian side Zrinjski despite dominating for most of the first leg.
That 1-1 draw has meant that embattled head coach Oliver Glasner and his side are under pressure this week to stay alive in the only cup they are still in.
With their Premier League season now largely about survival, this match could make or break their season, with this competition now likely their only route back into Europe. As for Zrinjski, they will happily sit back and counter-attack as they look for a famous upset.