We take a look at two compelling encounters taking place this Thursday in the UEFA Europa League, offering insights along with a betting perspective for each match
Before we dive in, here’s the first look at this season’s outright markets. Tottenham Hotspur lead as favourites at 4/1, closely followed by Manchester United at 11/2. AS Roma sit in third place at 8/1, while Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad are both priced at 10/1. The rest of the field is listed at 12/1 or higher.
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AS ROMA v ATHLETIC BILBAO – Click here to bet
AS Roma will host Spanish side Athletic Bilbao this Thursday in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. With little to compare between the two teams, the Giallorossi enter match day one in Europe following their first league win of the season—a convincing 3-0 victory over Udinese this past weekend. This win places them 10th in Serie A after five matches. Unbeaten in their last three outings with one win and two draws, Roma seem to be gaining momentum at the right time as European competition looms. They are set to face Dynamo Kyiv, Braga, and Eintracht Frankfurt at home, along with away matches against IF Elfsborg, Union SG, Tottenham Hotspur, and AZ Alkmaar.
Athletic Bilbao begin their quest for European glory as they travel to Rome on Thursday. The Lions enter match day one brimming with confidence, having secured their third consecutive league win over the weekend with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo at home, placing them 4th in the La Liga standings at the time of writing. With an average of 2 goals per game away from home this season, the Red and Whites will certainly approach Thursday’s match with a sense of quiet optimism, bolstered by their newly adopted attacking style. They will also have to face Ludogorets, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş in their away matches, alongside home encounters against the likes of AZ Alkmaar, Slavia Prague, IF Elfsborg, and Viktoria Plzeň in this competition.
Head-to-Head
The only previous encounter between these two teams occurred in a club friendly in 2019, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Betting
AS Roma 21/20
Draw 95/40
Athletic Bilbao 29/10
Verdict
Given both teams’ scoring abilities, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a score draw, especially since they both dominated their opponents over the weekend. However, my preference is for both teams to score at very favourable odds.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score, Yes at 9/10
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v QARABAG FK – Click here to bet
Tottenham Hotspur begin their quest for European success this Thursday, hosting Qarabag FK at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Manager Ange Postecoglou will be hoping that the favourites’ tag will serves as a good omen for his side, especially as he aims to secure at least one trophy this season. Spurs head into their first European fixture following a commanding Premier League performance, where they claimed a convincing 3-1 win over Brentford, placing them 10th in the standings after five matches. This strong display was a much-needed response after consecutive league defeats to rivals Arsenal and Newcastle United. In Europe, Spurs will also welcome AZ Alkmaar, Roma, and IF Elfsborg at home, while travelling to face Ferencvárosi, Galatasaray, and Rangers, before wrapping up matchday 8 away to Hoffenheim.
Azerbaijan’s Qarabag FK travels to London for their opening European match this Thursday. Following a solid performance in the Azerbaijan Premier League, where they secured an emphatic 4-0 victory over Neftci Baku at home, the Blue and Whites enter Match day 1 unbeaten in their last three encounters, having earned maximum points in each and currently sitting 1st in the league. With an impressive average of 2.66 goals per game domestically, the Horsemen will certainly aim to replicate similar success in Europe, hoping to catch early tournament favourites Spurs off guard. With upcoming matches against Malmö, Ajax, Bodø/Glimt, Lyon, IF Elfsborg, FCSB, and Olympiacos on the horizon, any positive result this Thursday will be viewed as a significant achievement for the visitors.
Head-to-Head
It has been nearly a decade since these two sides last faced each other in Europe. On that occasion, Tottenham Hotspur came out on top in both meetings, securing a 3-1 victory in this fixture and a 1-0 win in the reverse encounter back in 2015.
Betting
Tottenham Hotspur 1/6
Draw 15/2
Qarabag FK 15/1
Verdict
This fixture should feature plenty of goals, with the majority likely to come from the hosts. The gap in quality should be evident, and despite Qarabag’s impressive run of form—both in terms of results and scoring ability—it’s unlikely that this will be enough to secure a positive result in London.
Suggested Bet: Totals, Over 3.5 at 19/20
Click here for all of this week’s European football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
