Betis and Feyenoord can each reach dangerous wide lanes, so the first defensive touch after a cross or turnover matters. Inter should pin Shakhtar for spells, while Shakhtar's next pass into the wide space can change where the match is played. Brugge and Lens also bring an active press against quick wide escapes, with both teams able to create after falling behind.
Betis can use Abde and Antony to stretch Feyenoord, then look for Parrott inside. Feyenoord's Read and Hadj Moussa have built a present right-side response through different match states, and Zechiël or Valente can carry the next pass. Cucho's absence removes a finisher from Betis's recent Porto comeback, while Feyenoord's available travel group keeps that right-side route intact. The first clearance and the next recovery should bring chances at both ends. I'm siding with Feyenoord to stay in the contest.
Inter's Dimarco and Barella can deliver repeated balls for Thuram, with later attacking options to sustain pressure. Shakhtar can answer through Gomes and Pedrinho into Alisson or Mendoza behind Inter's advancing wide players, a recovery area Inter have recently left open. Shakhtar's key progression group and Riznyk have recent participation; Eguinaldo and Marlon Santos were already absent, while Obah's status remains unresolved. I'm siding with Shakhtar to make those exits count and keep the scoreline tight.
Brugge have Forbs and Tresoldi to attack the space outside Lens's back line, but their win at Inter also allowed repeated high-quality entries. Lens made plenty of chances against Sporting despite the defeat, and Thauvin's recent service gives Édouard and Ivanović a path to answer a Brugge goal. Ganiou played against Troyes and is newly absent; Todibo and Aguilar played and travelled, while Brugge's Ordóñez was already out for the Inter match. Lens can press the first pass and turn the second ball into box service. I'm siding with Lens to stay within reach.
