Ranking the 4 quarter-final matches of Europa League 2017/18

Despite traditionally being considered second fiddle to the Champions League, the UEFA Europa League manages to create just as many moments of glee and spark debates on primetime programs. The current season was no different and after all the raucous since the last 6 months, we are down to the final 8 of the competition.

Quite bizarrely, each of them belongs to a separate European contingent but are finely poised in what promises to be thrilling quarter-finals, all of which take place on 6th April.

So since the games will be played simultaneously, which one should you be prioritising then? We'll have it sorted here.

#4 RB Leipzig vs Marseille

Timo Werner will be one of the

key

to Leipzig's hopes

Both teams have flattered to deceive this season on the domestic front but can boast about some big wins in Europe. While Leipzig drove out Napoli and Zenit, Marseille overcame Braga before clinically dispatching Athletic Bilbao in the last round.

So even if this happens to be the least glamorous of all ties, expect competency from both camps. Not much was really expected of them, but both teams have shown the stones they did last season whenever the situation has demanded.

Die Roten Bullen have already picked up a big win in France this season when they thumped AS Monaco by 4-1 in the Champions League at the Stade Louis II, but contrarily Marseille are unbeaten at home in European games this term. So the fact that the deciding leg is staged at the Stade Velodrome might hold them in good stead to progress.

#3 SSC Lazio vs Red Bull Salzburg

A rude awakening for the great Austrian dream?

Red Bull's second child, the Austrian champions have already surpassed expectations by reaching this stage, more so after beating Borussia Dortmund in the last round. So despite their small stature in Europe, have made it clear they aren't here to merely meander and walk away. Red Bull Salzburg are in the race, firmly, and Lazio shouldn't be taking anything for granted.

Le Aquile are the most prolific in Serie A behind only Juventus, and trail Arsenal and the now eliminated Zenit on the same count in Europa League. Led by a regurgitated Ciro Immobile, Lazio have been firing at all cylinders this season and look primed to acquire a Champions League place. They are the favourites here too, but even if they were to win, that would be a Pyrrhic one as Salzburg are the only team to remain unbeaten from the start, and would be a tough nut to crack.

Plenty goals on the cards, though there's also a possibility of the contest going right down to the wire.

#2 Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow

Arsenal have their swagger back

Perhaps the most lopsided of the matches in the quarter-finals, Arsenal have their names written all over on this while the comprehensive victory over AC Milan in the last 16 should further fan the theory.

The Gunners have regained a measure of confidence since as their season threatened to disintegrate spectacularly after a run of four consecutive defeats prior to the trip to Milan. But Luxo the lamp is shining again, and Arsene Wenger is a smiling man once more.

To broaden it a bit more, they now take on a struggling Moscow outfit who are third in the Russian league and have hobbled their way here. Even if CSKA does possess a better head-to-head record by a win and a draw in their only meetings before, that came way back in 2006 in the Champions League and seems a distant memory by the events that have succeeded.

Arsenal should nick this one without much fuss.

#1 Atletico Madrid vs Sporting CP

Atletico Madrid have a fight on their hands

If Arsenal against CSKA Moscow was a skew-whiff of an affair, Atletico Madrid going against Sporting CP will definitely be the most evenly contested and arguably the one to keep an eye on. Both sides are among the favourites for the trophy but their collision in the last 8 means we will lose one of these strong contenders.

Even if Rojiblancos, on paper, are more favoured to advance, Sporting are no pushovers and can prove to be one stern test on their day. The likes of Barcelona and Juventus were given a run for their money when the sides met in the group stages of the Champions League, while the Lions have also shown nerves of steel when they fought back to strike against Viktoria Plzen in the last 16 when an elimination looked likely.

The unpredictability of this team may have Diego Simeone and co.on the tenterhooks, though the Madrid side have sauntered their way past Copenhagen and Lokomotiv Moscow, scoring 13 times and conceding just twice to become a hot favourite to go all the way.

A tough battle beckons, though the result seems a foregone conclusion.