Get our latest Europa League first goalscorer predictions as the second-leg of these round of 16 ties kick off this week.
The first leg of these Europa League Round of 16 ties led to big scorelines and certainly some upsets. So, we're going to look into whether or not the competition's top scorer, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang can keep this form going. Can Danny Ings carry his domestic form into Europe? Find out in our Europa League first goalscorer predictions.
Europa League first goalscorer predictions – Leading picks
West Ham vs Freiburg – Danny Ings – 9/4
Danny Ings' move to West Ham has certainly not lived up to anyone's expectations having scored just four goals in 45 appearances but he did manage to net for the first time this campaign on the weekend.
Ings came off the bench to help inspire a West Ham comeback having scored the equaliser and also saw an effort ruled out through VAR for being offside in the build-up. So, after this most recent display, Moyes could turn to the former England international against Freiburg knowing his Hammers side must score at least twice to win the tie.
He's never managed to score in the Europa League during his long career in England, so getting off the mark in a crucial knockout clash would be the perfect time to do so. Jarrod Bowen has often led the line this campaign for West Ham, but to take some pressure off of his shoulders' Moyes may lump Ings through the middle and allow him to thrive on his recent run of form.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Qarabag – Juninho – 19/5
Juninho is simply showing no sign of slowing down during what's turning out to be a fantastic season with Qarabag. The Brazilian star has netted 22 goals across all competitions, as well as seven assists, and this has included four in the Europa League.
The Brazilian thought he'd handed Qarabag a dream first-leg victory last week when Bayer Leverkusen were shocked in Azerbaijan as Qarabag took a 2-0 first half lead. Junino scored and assisted in that game, so having his side level heading into the second-leg will give Qarabag a huge amount of confidence.
Qarabag's striker is their top scorer this season, so you can find odds of 19/5 for him to score anytime. We believe this is something which should be snapped up considering he's found the back of the net in half of the away Europa League games he's featured in this term, including one goal and an assist in three games against Thursday's opponents.
Brighton vs Roma – Ansu Fati – 2/1
Having arrived on loan from Barcelona in the summer, Ansu Fati brought with him experience of winning silverware as well as having played European football. Fati has started four games in the Europa League already for Brighton – he missed two with a calf injury – scoring two goals against Ajax home and away.
Fati was brought on at half time last Thursday as De Zerbi went in search of answers in Rome and after being taken off on the weekend, he's certainly in line to start at the Amex. Brighton know they need a huge footballing miracle to ensure they stay in the Europa League having lost 4-0 away from home last Thursday.
With the Seagulls in such desperate need of goals this week, it wouldn't be a surprise to see De Zerbi field far more attackers than usual. Therefore, Fati getting on the scoresheet first and helping Brighton try to cause an unlikely upset could tempt you.
Marseille vs Villarreal – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5/4
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is enjoying a fine run of scoring form at Marseille. The 34-year-old has scored 23 goals across all competitions including a whole load in the Europa League.
The Marseille man has only failed to score in three Europa League games this season and with all of them coming during the group stages, the Gabon international is the most feared striker in this competition. He's found the back of the net five times in his previous three clashes, including a brace last time out.
Aubameyang is the stand-alone top scorer in the Europa League this season. The former Arsenal and Barcelona man has nine strikes in the competition this term, which is two more than the next-best striker, Romelu Lukaku, which will have Villarreal worried on Thursday evening.
It's also three goals in the last three European clashes for Aubameyang, so travelling away to Spain will not have him worried and if anything, the Gabonese ace will be ecstatic to play in his most favoured competition.
