We take a look at 4 upcoming fixtures that take place this Thursday on the Europa League front, suggesting a bet in each game.
Liverpool remain favourites to lift the trophy at 13/10. Bayer Leverkusen sit firmly behind them as second favourite at 16/5. Third placed favourite AC Milan are now at 13/2 leaving the remainder of the field at 10/1 or better.
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WEST HAM v SC FREIBURG – Click here to bet
West Ham plays host to Freiburg on the back of a 1-0 loss in Germany, making this tie delicately poised given their earlier encounters in the respective group stages.
West Ham will be optimistic about overturning the 1-0 deficit, especially since they’ve already beaten Freiburg 2-0 this season at the London Stadium. Having done the double over the Germans earlier, there might have been some naivety assuming the same outcome in the first leg of the knockout stage. Thankfully for West Ham, the deficit is just 1 goal, and they go into this round with a 100% home record and a positive 5 goal difference in Europe. There will be no need for panic, as they have the opportunity to play themselves into contention before taking any risks. However, conceding first could potentially complicate things.
Freiburg’s primary objective in the second leg is to avoid defeat. Boasting an away goal difference of positive 12 in Europe puts them in good stead, despite their only defeat coming at the hands of familiar foes West Ham in the group stages. The German outfit is aware of the threats The Hammers pose, but taking any lead into the second leg is treated like gold. It means they have something to defend, hoping to frustrate the home side as well as their supportive fans.
David Moyes will expect more from his side having failed to make in-roads in the first leg. Jarrod Bowen was particularly poor by his standards and will want to make amends knowing what’s at stake. Given what transpired earlier in the season, I think we may see a similar template as to when the pair last met in London.
Recommended Bet: Full Time Result, West Ham at 8/10
RANGERS v BENFICA – Click here to bet
We enter the second leg with everything to play for after witnessing an entertaining 2-2 draw away to Benfica. Rangers will feel they have the upper hand, knowing their fate awaits them at their beloved Ibrox Stadium.
Rangers put in a sterling performance last week in Lisbon. The hosts knew they were in for a scrap as early as the 7th minute when a long raking pass from Diomande was converted by Tom Lawrence. It soon became evident that Rangers were going to be no pushovers, forcing the hosts to trail at home on two separate occasions. The Gers arguably find themselves in a better position going into the second leg with a positive 2 goal difference in front of their fans in the Europa this season.
Despite failing to convert their chances, Benfica will take heart in the fact that they managed to keep their progression alive by recovering twice last week. They will be concerned over the fact that they have been guilty of shipping goals in general, making their task all the more difficult should they find themselves trailing at the Ibrox this Thursday. Having been demoted from the Champions League, their away record reflects a minus 1 goal difference on the road in Europe this season.
Games between these two have been absorbing to watch and surprisingly consistent, having played three times against one another resulting in three draws and an impressive tally of 14 goals at an average of 4.66 per game suggests there is precious little separating these two.
Recommended Bet: Full Time Result, Draw at 11/4
LIVERPOOL v SPARTA PRAGUE – Click here to bet
Sparta Prague travel to Anfield on the back of a disastrous first-leg encounter. They were soundly beaten 5-1 at home, meaning they will have to overturn a 4-goal deficit to progress further in the competition.
It was all systems go for Liverpool last week, placing them firmly in the driver’s seat and, in all likelihood, cementing their place in the quarterfinals with an emphatic display. European nights at Liverpool are always special, and knowing they have the luxury of defending a 4-goal lead with a +10 goal difference at home in Europa this season already. This means we could be in for yet another magical night in front of the Kop from the hosts.
Sparta Prague faces an uphill battle going into this leg. Realistically, risks will have to be taken early, given the magnitude of their job at hand, which will inevitably leave them vulnerable at the back. Finding the right balance and inspiration may prove difficult, considering their limits, having broken even with a goal difference of zero in this competition. This makes it unlikely we will see much improvement from the Czech Republic outfit barring a miracle.
When Liverpool are in the mood, very few clubs have the capacity to contain them. Sparta Prague will have no choice but to play an aggressive style given the deficit they face. It’s the sort of style Liverpool thrive on, which could easily result in a similar carving to the first leg.
Recommended Bet: Totals, Over 3.5 goals at 1/1
BRIGHTON v AS ROMA – Click here to bet
Roma travel to the Amex Stadium, well aware of their commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg over their opponents. Brighton faces a considerable challenge, knowing they must overturn a 4-goal deficit to keep their Europa League aspirations alive.
It was a disappointing performance from Brighton, firmly placing them on the back foot. Head coach De Zerbi has emphasized that his side needs to display the same characteristics they have proven capable of, passion, character and a quality of play that their fan base can be proud of. However, it won’t be easy, as their Europa League journey has resulted in just a positive 1 goal difference (both in the group and knockout stages), scoring 10 and conceding 9 overall after last week’s result.
Roma is very much a rejuvenated side with De Rossi at the helm. The Giallorossi know that they are just 90 minutes away from progressing further. All that is required is discipline and keeping their emotions in check, having laid most of the groundwork in the first leg. Roma enters the second leg on the back of an impressive positive 12-goal difference in Europa, scoring 18 overall and conceding just 6. This emphasizes just how difficult a task awaits the Seagulls.
Having conceded four goals or more in two of their last three visits to England, Roma has been guilty of fading away against English clubs, offering Brighton the faintest glimmer of hope. That being said, the manner in which Roma played last week leads me to suggest it will be a bridge too far for Brighton, despite making it an entertaining affair.
Recommended Bet: Totals, Over 2.5 goals at 7/10
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
