UEFA Europa League - Round of 16

The Europa League Round of 16 has finally arrived, this years version offers up a blockbuster list of participants, which has brought a ton of excitement back to the maiden tournament.

Now with a list of Europe's top clubs buying for a trip to Lyon, France in May, we are in store for one of the more memorable events in years past.

Enjoy the opening matches during the first legs of this storied event, with value up and down the board, look for the best opportunites to continue to grow your Investments.

20504 Atletico Madrid - 20505 Lokomotiv Moscow

Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain

3-8-2018 - 1:00 pm ET

The highlighted match on the card features Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, making the trip to Madrid where Spanish giants Atletico Madrid await them at the grand Wanda Metropolitano.

Atleti abruptly saw their Champions League run come to a shocking end, now with a new European objective to conquer, Los Colchoneros enter this tournament playing the best football of the season, making them a scary side to face for any opposing clubs.

Lokomotiv Moscow enter the Round of 16 off an impressive showing against French side Nice, after winning Group F to advance to the Round of 32.

The Russian outfit then proceeded to eliminate the Ligue 1 club in a memorable two-legged affair, punching their ticket as one of the Final 16 to compete for an automatic bid into the Champions League next season.

The visitors unfortunately were done no favors by drawing Atletico Madrid as their next obstacle, Lokomotiv must understand that the level of competition has increased immensely, the "Railroaders" must attempt to limit any damages as they return to the capital city for the return leg of this Round of 16 fixture.

Veteran manager Yuri Semin has seized his opportunity with Lokomotiv since taking the position in 2016, guiding the club to Europa League qualifications in just his first season at the post.

Semin has continued to push all the right buttons, the visitors currently sit 1st in the Russian Premier League, as they look for multiple trophies during the existing campaign.

The Moscow club line up within a unique 4-1-4-1 formation, the Russians play a very familiar style to many of the larger teams in Europe, preferring a heavy amount of ball possession, while creating a large amount of shots on goal through creative team play, and individual skill on the ball.

Manuel Fernandes and Aleksey Miranchuk will present the most obvious amount of problems for the Atletico back-line, the duo are highly effective at dribbling and distributing the ball within the offensive flow of their system, while finding the back of the net on a regular basis, the combo have combined for 20 Goals and 9 Assists in all competitions from their Midfield positions.

Lokomotiv Moskow have continued to elevate their play as the tournament has progressed, scoring an average of 1.5 Goals in their last 4 Europa League road games.

The Lokomotiv defense has been up to the task during their travels, keeping 2 clean sheets, while conceding 0.75 Goals during their last 4 Europa League road games.

Atletico Madrid are set to host just their second Europa league match at the magnificent  Wanda Metropolitano, the newly constructed stadium will be packed with rapid  Red-and-White supporters, the scene will truly be an intimidating environment for their Russian guests to kick off the first leg on Thursday.

Atleti made short work of FC Copenhagen over two legs in the Round of 32, after placing 4 goals on the board in Denmark, the Spanish squad clamped down for a 1-0 home victory to close out the Danes.

Diego Simeone has had to adjust to not being a part of the Champions League events during this time of the year, the Argentine head man lead his side to multiple European finals over the past few years, while continuing to keep his club on Europe's grand stage.

Simeone though is still ultra-competitive, taking every challenge head on, as he continues to look for positive results within each match his side enters.

Atletico are set to field a strong starting eleven, after a disappointing 1-0 lose to Barcelona over the weekend, the Madrid outfit are chomping at the bit to remove that sour taste from their mouths.

Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro are expected to lead the line within their patented 4-4-2 formation, the French partnership have been in stellar form as of late, with Griezmann netting 7 Goals over the last 3 matches domestically, while the two-some have combined for 32 Goals and 12 Assists in all competitions this campaign.

The home side are traditionally a very aggressive overall unit, expect a harassing brand of football with every touch of the ball Lokomotiv take, with a highly effective counter attacking offense that nets positive results.

Atleti will also regularly launch long range shots, while creating Set Pieces and Direct Free Kick opportunities where they thrive, expect the home side to be in prime form, as they look to grab all 3 points heading back to Moscow.

Atletico Madrid have been consistent in finding the back of the net during European competitions, scoring and average of 1.25 Goals in their first 4 European home games.

The Atletico defense continues to be world renowned, conceding an average of 0.75 Goals in their last 4 European home games.

Prediction:

This match should clearly show two clubs on totally different levels, although Lokomotiv Moscow have had a solid showing up to this point, Atletico Madrid are a clear step above any type of squad they have encountered this season.

Both sides will enter the match having failed to lose in a combined 7 European matches, proving each club have been in solid form as they share the pitch on Thursday.

Even so we should expect Atletico to separate themselves early in this match, setting the tone for what should be a long day for their Russian guests.

Expect a bully style approach, as the Spaniards look to impose their will and pick their opposition's pockets, setting the break into motion where Lokomotiv struggle mightily to defend.

Atletico will also create shot after shot on goal, where they will eventually where their opponents down with a multi-goal performance, as they head back to Moscow for the second leg of this Europa League event.

Tips:

Over 2.5  -110 / 1.91 - Full Time Goals

Atletico Madrid  -0.75  -115 / 1.87 - 1st Half Spread

Atletico Madrid  -1.75  -115 / 1.87 - Full Game Spread

Atletico Madrid - Team Total  Over 2  -135 / 1.74 - Goals

*Europa League Bonus Tips*

20501 AC Milan - 20502 Arsenal

3-8-2018 - 1:00 pm ET

AC Milan   +110 / 2.1 - Full Time Winner

20507 Borussia Dortmund - 20508 Red Bull Salzburg

3-8-3018 - 1:00 pm ET

Both Teams To Score - "YES" -125 / 1.8

Red Bull Salzburg  +1 -110 / 1.91 - Full Time Spread

20516 RB Leipzig - 20517 Zenit St. Petersburg

3-8-2018 - 3:05 pm ET

RB Leipzig  -0.75  -110 / 1.91 - Full Time Spread

RB Leipzig - Team Total Over 1.5  -125 / 1.8 Goals

20519 Marseille - 20520 Athletic Bilbao

3-8-2018 - 3:05 pm ET

Marseille  -125 / 1.8 - Full Time Winner

Best Of Luck To All