UEFA Europa League 2013: Players Who Will Dominate Quarterfinals

The 2013 UEFA Europa League will kick off its knockout round of competition tomorrow afternoon, and there are four players set to dominate their respective quarterfinal matches. 

Firstly, S.S. Lazio should get plenty of production from the Europa League's leading scorer, 23-year-old forward Libor Kozak. 

Lazio faces Fenerbahce SK in their quarterfinal match and should have no problem moving on as long as Kozak plays the way he has all season long. Kozak has 10 goals in Europa League play, and they have come in bunches.

The Czech Republic native has three two-goal matches and notched a hat-trick in Lazio's round of 16 victory over Stuttgart on March 14. Look for another multi-goal performance from Kozak on Thursday.

Another rising star to watch out for in the quarterfinals is Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder Gareth Bale. In seven tournament phase appearances for Tottenham, Bale has three goals and a trio of assists. It is safe to say FC Basel will have its hands full trying to slow down Bale.

Whether Bale is scoring on his own or dishing the ball to Jermain Defoe near the goal, Basel will need to design their defensive scheme around him. If Bale is making plays all over the pitch, Tottenham should cruise into the semifinals.

Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo is the safest bet of anyone to turn in a dominant performance in the Europa League quarterfinals. Cardozo has found the net 27 times in 33 appearances this season, and SL Benfica will be the beneficiaries of his services tomorrow.

Steven Taylor will be tasked with slowing down Cardozo for Newcastle United FC, which is far easier said than done.

Another big match for Cardozo will mean the end of Newcastle, so Taylor needs to be at his best. Unfortunately, Cardozo and Benfica should be too much for Taylor and Newcastle to handle in Lisbon, Portugal.

Finally, FC Rubin Kazan midfielder Roman Eremenko is in line for a top-notch performance against Chelsea FC. The 26-year-old Finland product has three assists in the Europa League tournament and will be looking to feast on a depleted Chelsea backfield.

Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill are both dealing with injuries that may keep them out of the quarterfinals. 

Eremenko should have no problems getting the ball to Jose Rondon and Gokdeniz Karadeniz for a few routine goals against Chelsea. This will be Eremenko's time to shine.

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