Football tips for 16 Apr 2026: analysis of 3 promising matches to watch, chasing 2 European trophies, today's football schedule.
On 16 April 2026, today's football tips highlight two ongoing European cup competitions to follow: the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League quarterfinals. Three English Premier League teams are competing for advancement. Here is the analysis and outlook for these three matches.
- Europa League quarterfinal second leg (first leg: Villa won 3-1) / Kickoff at 02:00 GMT+7.
The "Villains" have been unbeaten across all competitions for a full month since losing to Manchester United in the Premier League, with 3 wins and 1 draw. In this Europa League season, they've won 10 of 11 matches, losing only once. They have beaten Bologna all 3 times they met before. Their European home record is very strong, winning 15 of the last 17 games, including the last 8 in a row. However, they must hope goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, injured before the recent 1-1 draw with Forest, recovers in time. Jadon Sancho and Boubacar Kamara remain injured, but attackers Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers are available.
Bologna have clearly struggled against Aston Villa, losing all 3 previous encounters and scoring only once while conceding 6. Although they have won all 5 away Europa League matches since losing to Villa in the first league phase, statistics show only 1 out of 67 teams has overturned a 2-goal deficit after the first leg in Europa League knockout rounds. Their three forwards, Federico Bernardeschi, Jonathan Rowe, and Santiago Castro, are all fit, but they are unlikely to secure an away win.
Outlook Villa to narrowly reinforce their advantage and reach the semifinals.
- Europa League quarterfinal second leg (first leg: 1-1 draw) / Kickoff at 02:00 GMT+7.
The "Tricky Trees" have performed better in this cup than in the Premier League, where they still face relegation threats. Despite one draw and one loss in their first two league phase matches, they won 4, drew 1, and lost 1 in the other six games, advancing to the knockout stage. They overcame tough opponents Fenerbahçe in the playoffs and Midtjylland in the round of 16. Against Porto in the league phase, they won 2-0 and drew 1-1 in the first leg of the quarterfinals. The key question is whether Elliott Anderson, sidelined for personal reasons, will play. However, main players Neco Williams, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Chris Wood are fit.
Porto are on a roll, unbeaten in 8 consecutive games across all competitions (5 wins, 3 draws). In 11 Europa League matches this season, they have lost only once—to Forest. They also convincingly beat Stuttgart home and away in the round of 16 (2-1, 2-0). In the Portuguese league's 29 matches this season, they lost only once. Yet, they have not beaten an English team in their last 5 Europa League encounters. Key players Samu Akeho, veteran striker Luuk de Jong, and defender Nehuén Pérez remain injured. It appears "Tricky Trees" have a chance to cause another upset.
Outlook Forest to edge through narrowly.
- UEFA Conference League quarterfinal second leg (first leg: Palace won 3-0) / Kickoff at 02:00 GMT+7.
The "Viola" face a tough challenge after a heavy first-leg defeat. Previously, they had never lost in the quarterfinals in their two final appearances in this competition and three semifinal runs. In 11 recent European quarterfinal matches, they won 10 and lost only once—to Celtic in the 1969-70 season. Their recent form over 8 matches is decent with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. However, five players remain injured, notably their key striker Moise Kean. If he cannot play, they will rely on Roberto Piccoli and Albert Gudmundsson.
Crystal Palace are currently in good form, losing only once in their last 10 matches since 1 March (6 wins, 3 draws). They are unbeaten in 7 straight games and have won their last 3. Fiorentina have not beaten an English team in their last 4 meetings (3 losses, 1 draw). Palace's top scorer in this tournament, Ismaïla Sarr, with 6 goals, has scored 4 since early February. Jean-Philippe Mateta has also scored 3 goals in his last 2 games. Though they have 3 injured players, it should not affect them much. They have a good chance to close out the tie and advance.
Outlook Palace to remain unbeaten and progress to the semifinals.