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Europa League semi-final second-leg ties: Charlie Nicholas predicts the results

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for Thursday's Europa League semi-final second-leg clashes.

Looking ahead to the two midweek fixtures, Manchester United and Ajax are both strong favourites to reach the final of Europe's second-tier competition in Sweden later this month.

Charlie's tips
Charlie's tips

Agree with Charlie? Follow his Sky Bet tip here.

Here's what the Sky Sports pundit is predicting for the two clashes...

Manchester United v Celta Vigo (Thursday 8.05pm) - 1-0 from the first leg

I wasn't surprised by the team Jose Mourinho went with on Sunday but I was surprised with just how negative he was, especially when you consider there probably wasn't too much difference in the values of the two sides' line-ups.

He now has the pressure on him because he's the one who has put the eggs in this Europa League basket, although he'll probably get the last laugh with two trophies from a team that has not been very impressive.

VIGO, SPAIN - MAY 04:  Sergio Alvarez of Celta Vigo fails to stop Marcus Rashford of Manchester United (not pictured) from scoring their first goal
Image: Marcus Rashford grabbed the winner in Spain

They'll have to be more adventurous here because the Old Trafford fans demand that, especially after he did his new friend Arsene Wenger a big favour!

They'll bring Marcus Rashford back to add his pace to Antony Martial's and they'll be able to be patient and pick Celta Vigo off on the counter-attack.

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Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Rashford to score first - 33/1 with Sky Bet

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Lyon v Ajax (Thursday 8.05pm) - 1-4 from the first leg

This was another first leg that really surprised me. I thought Lyon were a banker to meet Manchester United in the final.

The new Ajax boss Peter Bosz has done incredibly well to get them back on track after Frank de Boer left and they obviously had a huge weekend to keep them in the Eredivisie title race.

They're doing it again with a bunch of kids and you worry how they'll cope with the pressure on them now.

Ajax players celebrate after the 4-1 victory against Lyon
Image: Ajax players after the 4-1 victory against Lyon

Ajax can concede a few and, having put faith in Lyon for the first leg, I'm going for them to come through here on away goals with a couple of goals from Alexandre Lacazette.

Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Lacazette to score first - 30/1 with Sky Bet

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