Real Betis have already secured their place in the knockout stage of the Europa League, and Milan are likely to join them if they can avoid defeat against Olympiakos. F91 Dudelange of Luxembourg were always expected to be the Group F whipping boys and with five defeats from their five games so far, that prediction has come true.
F91 Dudelange faced title rivals Fola Esch in their domestic cup competition on Sunday, and ran out narrow 2-1 winners at home. Dudelange sit third in the Luxembourg National Division, a point behind second placed Fola Esch and three behind the leaders Jeunesse d’Esch, and after Thursday’s game, they will be able to concentrate on domestic matters and perhaps claim some silverware.
Betis were at home on Sunday in La Liga where they played host to relegation battlers Rayo Vallecano and claimed a rather fortunate 2-0 win. The scoreline suggests Betis ran out comfortable winners at the weekend, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth as their guests had nine corners to the home sides two and thirteen shots during the ninety minutes, compared to the seven Betis managed. However, the home side were clinical in front of goal in the second half, taking the lead through a fifty-ninth minute penalty from Lo Celso and wrapping up the three points via a seventy-sixth minute goal from Brazilian defender Sidnei.
Real Betis certainly were in control when they last met F91 Dudelange on their way to three points in the Europa League in October. The pair went in goalless at the break despite the best efforts of the hosts, but they weren’t to be denied in the second half. Sanabria opened the scoring in the fifty-sixth minute and Lo Celso added a second with ten minutes to go, before former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello made it 3-0 in the eighty-eighth minute. Dudelange had their chances against Betis, but with 68% of the possession and twelve shots off target the hosts could have won by a lot more than three goals.
Turpel and Sinani have scored a combined nine times in qualifying and the group stage of the Europa League for Dudelange this season and present the hosts most likely source of goals heading into Thursday’s match. Argentina’s Lo Celso has scored three times in Europe for Betis this season, while teammate Sanabria is one goal behind on two. The visitors are yet to be beaten in the group stage, while the hosts are yet to win and we can’t see that changing on Thursday.
We’re confident that Betis will win on Thursday and have backed the scoreline to finish 3-0 once again. Betis are the better side, playing in a better domestic league, and have form in their favour with five wins from their last six matches in all competitions. The visitors have kept four clean sheets in their last four matches and we’re expecting more of the same on Thursday.
Sporting Lisbon have already guaranteed themselves a spot in the knockout stage of the Europa League along with Group E leaders Arsenal, but the Portuguese side could still finish top, despite the three point gap between the clubs, as long as they beat Vorskla and Arsenal lose at home to Qarabağ.
The hosts head into the game in the midst of a five game winning streak in all competitions, following their 4-1 destruction of Desportivo Aves in the Primeira Liga on Sunday. Sporting went behind to a Rodrigo Defendi strike in the seventeenth minute, but turned things around late in the half to lead 2-1 at the break, thanks to goals from Dost and then Nani. The second forty-five proved much more plain sailing for the hosts as Dost netted his brace in the forty-eighth minute and Diaby made it 4-1 just shy of the hour mark. Before that final goal Sporting had Acuña sent-off, but thankfully for the hosts it bared no effect on the end result and the hosts remain second in the table, two points behind Porto.
Vorskla sit fifth in the Ukrainian Premier League following Saturday’s narrow win away at Chornomorets, which ended a five game losing streak for Thursday’s hosts in all competitions. Chizhov scored the only goal of what turned out to be a tight and tense game in Odessa, but with 53% of the possession and more shots during the ninety minutes, the visitors just about deserved their victory.
Kulach handed Vorskla a tenth minute lead when the Ukrainians played host to Sporting in October, and it wasn’t until very late in the game that Sporting turned the match on its head. Montero looked to have rescued a point for Sporting with his ninetieth minute equaliser, but Sporting weren’t done there and Jovane Cabral popped up with a stoppage time winner. On the balance of play Sporting certainly deserved to win the game as they had 65% of the possession away from home, nine corners to the hosts none, and ten shots during the match to Vorskla’s four.
Cabral, Fernandes, and Diaby have all scored two goals each for Sporting in the Europa League this season and joint top score for the visitors. Vorskla have only scored four goals in their five group games and Kulach top scores with two goals for Thursday’s hosts. Sporting are the clear form favourites heading into the match, but the visitors have already qualified and can rest players if they so wish, while they still have pride to play for and won’t want to finish bottom of the group.
I am confident that Sporting will win and that over 2.5 goals will be scored in the process, with the final score ending 3-1 to the visitors. Sporting are unbeaten in seven matches, the last five of which have all ended in victory and will want to continue their momentum on Thursday. Vorskla have lost four of their five group games so far, conceding ten goals and only scoring four, and have nothing to play for but pride.
It didn’t seem likely that RB Leipzig, who played in the Champions League last season, would be out of the top two with just one game to go in Group B, though that is where the Germans find themselves ahead of match-day six. If they’re to progress, Ralf Rangnick’s men will need to win this match and hope that Celtic avoid taking a point off Salzburg.
It’s not exactly been a walk in the park for Leipzig in Europe this time around, though Thursday’s hosts could hardly have asked for a better game to end the group on. Their destiny may ultimately be in Celtic’s hands, but they can give themselves the best possible chance by beating a weak Rosenborg side.
When the teams met in the reverse fixture, Leipzig delivered what has turned out to their best performance of the tournament. They dominated the game, were on the front foot throughout, created plenty of chances and scored three goals. A repeat of that effort in front of their own fans would almost definitely see Rangnick’s men walk off the pitch with all three points.
Rosenborg are rightly bottom of the group; they’ve struggled to get going in the final third, while they’ve also been hopeless at the back. Thursday’s visitors have conceded 13 goals in five matches and have scored a measly three in reply. On top of conceding numerous goals, Rosenborg have gifted their opponents an abundance of chances, as they’re shipping an average of 1.99 expected goals.
When Rosenborg visited Salzburg earlier in the group, they conceded three goals, while they also conceded a whopping 3.84 expected goals. If Leipzig hit their stride on Thursday, then the visitors could really struggle to cope, particularly if they rest players, which is not of the question given that they’re already out.
At the prices, the bet that stands out is ‘Leipzig -2 Handicap’ stands out. The visitors have simply failed to compete at both ends of the pitch. What’s more, when Leipzig took on Rosenborg in Norway, not only did they score three goals, but they dominated in all areas, including shots, shots on target, expected goals. Now back in front of their own fans, the Germans are fancied to put the already-eliminated visitors to the sword.
Dinamo Zagreb have already claimed the top spot in Group D and can now afford to rest players for their final game of the group stage against Anderlecht on Thursday. The visitors can’t finish in the qualifying places and are only playing for a possible third place finish ahead of Spartak Trnava, but need to win on Thursday and hope they fail to beat Fenerbahce.
On Sunday Zagreb ran out 2-0 winners against Inter Zaprešić in 1. HNL, maintaining their impressive lead at the top of the table. Kądzior opened the scoring for the visitors in the twenty-second minute and that goal proved enough to separate the sides at the break. The hosts had Čeliković sent-off five minutes int the second half and just ten minutes later Zagreb took advantage by scoring their second goal of the game through Petković. The visitors dominated the match and deserved their three points and now head into Thursday’s game having won their last three matches in all competitions.
Anderlecht sit fourth in the Belgian First Division A after only managing a 1-1 draw at home with Sporting Charleroi on Sunday. The first half ended goalless, despite the best efforts of the hosts, who looked the more likely to score the games opening goal. Just two minutes into the second half Amuzu scored, to hand Anderlecht a deserved lead, and from that point on it looked like the hosts would claim all three points. However, the visitors were awarded an eighty-ninth minute penalty and Benavente levelled the scores under pressure to earn Sporting Charleroi a surprise point.
Back in October Anderlecht were beaten in their own backyard 2-0 by Dinamo Zagreb, and both teams ended the game with ten-men. A nineteenth minute penalty from Hajrović saw Zagreb take the lead in Belgium, but the sending-off of Vranješ just a minute into the second half changed the game. Anderlecht were still seeing plenty of the ball, but Zagreb always looked the more likely to score, which they did in the sixty-eighth minute through Gojak. Anderlecht can’t have too many complaints about the end result, because despite having 61% of the overall possession, it was the visitors that had nine shots on target while the hosts mustered just two.
Hajrović has netted three goals in the Europa League for Dinamo Zagreb this season, while teammates Gojak and Oršić have scored two each. Bakkali is the only Anderlecht player to have scored in the Europa League this season, and with two goals he represents their main attacking threat. Anderlecht have been poor in Europe this season and are yet to win a game, which doesn’t bode well ahead of a tricky trip to Croatia.
We’re confident that Dinamo Zagreb will win on Thursday, and have backed the game to end 3-0. The hosts have won three, drawn two, and lost just one of their last six matches, while Anderlecht have lost three, drawn two, and won one. The hosts are yet to lose in Europe this season and with four clean sheets in their last four matches, we expect this to continue on Thursday
Spartak Trnava can’t qualify from Group D heading into the final round of fixtures in the Europa League on Thursday, but the hosts do have pride to play for as their current third place position is under threat. Fenerbahce sit five points behind group winners Zagreb, but will finish in second place and qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League this season.
Spartak Trnava claimed a 3-1 win over Trenčín at the weekend and leapfrogged their opponents in the Super Liga table. Yilmaz opened the scoring for Trnava after five minutes, but the visitors equalised through Corryn in the twenty-fourth minute. The hosts restored their lead before the hour mark though when Grendel scored his third league goal of the campaign. The second half proved much tighter, but Spartak Trnava were able to confirm their victory with a third goal seven minutes from time through Yilmaz.
Fenerbahce’s terrible domestic season continued at the weekend when they were beaten 3-0 by Akhisarspor, a result which saw the Turkish giants slip into the relegation zone. Bokila scored the only goal of the first half through Bokila, and two late goals from Manu and Regattin compounded the visitors misery. Fenerbahce have been vastly under performing in the Super Lig, but their Europa League campaign has produced two wins, two draws, and just one defeat.
When Fenerbahce locked horns with Spartak Trnava for their reverse group fixture back in October, a second half brace from former Leicester City striker Slimani wrapped up a deserved 2-0 victory for the Turkish club. The hosts dominated the match with 58% of the overall possession and stopped Spartak Trnava from having a single shot on target. Spartak Trnava don’t have any players on more than one goal in the Europa League, while Frey and Slimani joint top score for Fenerbahce with two goals apiece.
Neither side head into the game in the best of form, but Fenerbahce have performed much better than their hosts in Europe this season. the visitors have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six in all competitions, while Spartak Trnava have lost three, drawn one and won two of their last six. Spartak Trnava need the points more than Fenerbahce if they are interested in claiming third place in Group D, but the visitors need to make winning a habit of theirs, and starting on Thursday would be a great idea.
I am confident that Fenerbahce will win and have backed the final score to end 1-0. The visitors have won two of their five group games and are the form favourites heading into Thursday’s match. Spartak Trnava have lost three of their five group games, as well as three of their last six in all competitions. Confidence is bound to be low in both camps and that’s why were backing a narrow 1-0 win for Fenerbahce and don’t expect this game to live long in the memory.
Group C was always going to be competitive, but both Copenhagen and Bordeaux would’ve hoped to be in better position ahead of match-day six. Either one could still make the knockouts with a win in this fixture, though their fate depends on what Slavia Prague do against the already qualified Zenit.
Having come out on top (away from home) in the reverse fixture, it is Copenhagen who ought to come into this fixture feeling confident. Ståle Solbakken’s men won by two goals to one away in France on match-day two, though the French side won’t be feeling too down, as they were the better side on that occasion.
When the teams met in France, Copenhagen did win, but they were perhaps fortunate to do so. Bordeaux dominated in all areas, including expected goals for, but they were made to pay for a lack of end-product. If they take their shooting boots with them to Denmark, then there’s hope for the visitors, that’s for sure.
The main reason as to why Copenhagen find themselves needing a win in this final match is the fact that they’ve struggled to make things happen offensively, even on their own patch. Thursday’s hosts have scored just one goal in two home Europa League games this season. They did OK when scoring and clocking a modest 1.39 expected goals for against Zenit, but they looked all out of idea against Slavia Prague last time out. On that occasion, Solbakken’s men failed to score, and deservedly so since they managed to put forward just 0.11 expected goals for.
In contrast, Bordeaux have looked useful from an offensive point of view in recent UEL matches. They scored twice against Slavia Prague last time out, posting an encouraging 2.01 expected goals for, while they clocked 2.13 against Zenit last time out. They only managed 1.19 away against Zenit, but that’s still far better that Copenhagen’s last effort at home.
Moreover, the French side showed that they had the tools to get at Copenhagen in the previous fixture, while they ought to be aided by the fact that Thursday’s hosts are now forced to be more expansive, as they too require nothing short of a win.
Given the performances of both in Group C, coupled with how they fared against each other in the reverse fixture, it’s easy to make a case for the visitors at the prices. In recent games, it is Bordeaux who’ve looked far more capable offensively, while they’ll now get to play against a Copenhagen side who’ll have no choice but to be more expansive.
Leverkusen and Zurich have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Europa League, but top spot is still up for grabs and its the Germans who lead Group A by a point. Larnaca will finish third if they better Ludogorets’ result at home to Zurich. Both teams are in a position to rest players if they so wish and that could have a big effect on the final outcome, so make sure you check the starting lineups before placing any bets.
Larnaca were beaten 1-0 away at Paphos in Cypress’ 1. Division on Saturday, despite being the better team for the majority of the match. Nemec scored the games only goal on the stroke of half time, and even though they went down to ten-men in the seventieth minute when Živulić was sent-off, Paphos held on to secure all three points. Larnaca remain in fourth spot, but with each of the three teams above them in 1. Division winning they lost ground in the title race.
Leverkusen have endured a poor start to their Bundesliga season, but recent result suggest they might still challenge for the European places. On Saturday Augsburg provided the opposition at the BayArena in Leverkusen, where the hosts dominated the match with 62% of the possession and eighteen shots during the ninety minutes. The hosts were made to wait until the seventy-fifth minute to score the goal that would earn them all three points, with Argentine substitute Alario scoring his first league goal of the season.
Larnaca took the lead in German when the two clubs met for their reverse group fixture, with Trichkovski netting in the twenty-fifth minute. The teams went in level at the break thanks to an equaliser from Havertz and early in the second half Alario put the hosts 2-1 up. Alario added a third goal with three minutes on the clock and even though Raspas pulled a goal back for Larnaca in stoppage time, Brandt restored Leverkusen’s two goal lead less than sixty-seconds later. The hosts deserved all three points that day in what was a very competitive match that produced five yellow cards for Leverkusen and four their Cypriot guests.
With eight goals in qualifying and the group stage this season, Trichkovski is Larnaca’s dangerman and someone the visitors need to mark carefully on Thursday or risked being punished. Havertz scored when the pair last met and lead the way for Leverkusen with three goals during the group stage. Both teams have been involved in low scoring games of late, keeping a number of clean sheets, and we think that could prove to be a theme on Thursday.
We’re backing Under 2.5 goals on Thursday, and for the game to end 0-0. The hosts have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches and have drawn two of their five group games in the Europa League. Leverkusen have also kept three clean sheets in their last six matches, and five of their last six in all competitions have produced under 2.5 goals.
Celtic have hit form just at the right time ahead of this massive European clash which would see them progress to the knockout stages of the competition if they can pick up at least one point against Salzburg. This game is set to be played at Celtic Park and will make it one of the most dramatic nights at the famous stadium for a few years as Leipzig are essentially a shoe in for a win against Rosenborg which would see them progress ahead of the Hoops, should Celtic lose this match against group B’s top side.
Celtic have been in hot form recently with them unbeaten in their last ten matches; eight of those being wins. They’ve faced some difficult teams in this run also but have managed to surpass them all with Leipzig (2-1), Hearts (5-0) and Aberdeen (1-0) among others being swept aside by the Glaswegians. James Forrest and Ryan Christie have been particularly impressive recently and the duo now sit with 17 goals between them in all competitions despite neither being strikers.
Whenever Celtic find themselves threatened by a potential challenger, they always seem to turn on the quality and wipe the floor with them, and that’s what happened at the weekend against top-of-the-table Kilmarnock. Steve Clarke’s Killie had been picking up plaudits by the bucket load and this was probably the most anticipated match in Scotland last week but Celtic just turned up and raised hell with a 5-1 thrashing of the opposition. Forrest struck twice to open and close the scoring in what was a match over after five minutes when the winger’s fifth minute goal signalled what was to come.
Celtic now have to take that form into this match but Salzburg are fantastic opposition and won’t roll over for the Scottish champions.
Salzburg have also been on a fantastic run of form with them unbeaten in their last 29 matches in all competitions with just five of those ending in draws. Salzburg have been absolutely ripping up the competition with no one able to keep pace with them as they currently sit 14 points clear at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga. Quality teams like WAC and St. Polten have tried to match Salzburg but have just been swept aside in extremely one-sided games and they have carried this form into the Europa League this season.
Salzburg got agonisingly close to qualifying for the Champions League but away goals saw Red Star Belgrade advance in their place, but Red Bull haven’t moped about and have instead showed why they deserved to be among the European elite. The have won each of their five Europa League games this year, making them just one of three sides to do that alongside Chelsea and Eintracht Frankfurt. They have scored at least three goals in four of these games with that record only being thwarted by their Red Bull cousins Leipzig at the end of November.
Altogether, they have been unstoppable but cracks have emerged in their last two matches. Against second-bottom Atlach, they only managed to get one goal past the relegation battlers in what was an extremely lacklustre performance by Salzburg. This was followed by a 2-2 draw with the league’s bottom-side Admira who pushed another idealess Salzburg side to the edge at the Chiristian-Petru Ciochira. Salzburg have been so dominating this year, but two disappointing results could spell opportunity for Celtic.
Salzburg are unbeaten in their last 15 away matches but come up against worth opponents in Celtic who haven’t lost at home in their last 14 Parkhead excursions. Celtic have been wonderful in front of goals recently with 26 in their last ten games. They haven’t been as impressive in the Europa League with five in their last five, but this has been enough to carry them over the line so far and it should be the case again here. Salzburg have conceded five in the group this year despite their dominance and we feel this could be the case again as they travel to Celtic Park.
Celtic have everything to play for while Salzburg have already finished top and with them showing some weakness in their last two Austrian matches, we feel the gap could be there for Celtic to do some damage. However, Salzburg, with their five wins from five, should be too good to beat but we still feel the Bhoys could nick a point from this match to guarantee qualification for the next round so we’re going to back a 1-1 draw here.
Ludogorets can’t qualify from Group A with one game left to play, but can have a say in who claims top spot as they hosts already qualified FC Zurich on Thursday. Zurich sit one points behind Leverkusen heading into the final round of fixtures in the Europa League group stage, so really need to win against Ludogorets and hope the Germans drop points in Cyprus in order to finish top.
Ludogorets claimed a 2-0 win over Slavia Sofia on Sunday and remain top of the First League table. The hosts took the lead through Romanian defender Moți in the thirty-seventh minute, and a penalty from fellow countryman Keșerü ten minutes into the second half wrapped up the three points. Ludogorets are now unbeaten in their last five matches, and while they can’t qualify from Group A they will be desperate to claim their first win in the Europa League this season having picked up three draws and two defeats so far.
Fourth played host to third in the Swiss Super League on Sunday, as Basel defeated Zurich 2-0 to move back into second place in the table ahead of Thun. A nineteenth minute strike from top scorer Ajeti put Basel in front and early in the second half Petretta ended any hopes of a comeback for Zurich with the home sides second goal. The visitors were outplayed by their hosts and will have to perform better on Thursday if they do harbour any ambitions of claiming top spot in Group A.
The reverse fixture between Zurich and Ludogorets back in October was a very close game with very few clear cut opportunities in front of goal and the match was settled by a single strike late on. The pair went in level at the break goalless, where despite seeing less of the ball it was the visitors Ludogorets that had the best chances. Zurich struggled to break down their guests and the frustration saw them resort to pot shots from range, but in the eighty-fourth minute Iceland’s Pálsson won the game for Zurich and you could feel the relief around the stadium.
Zurich aren’t in the best of form heading into their final Europa League group game, while Ludogorets have picked up three wins and two draw from their last five matches in all competitions. Neither side have an out and out goalscorer leading the way in their European matches this season, with Campanharo, Wanderson, Keșerü, and Marcelinho all on two goals each for Ludogorets, while Zurich don;t have a single player with more than one goal to their name so far.
I am confident that Zurich will take some thing from this match and have backed the visitors with a double chance bet, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. Zurich have outperformed a disappointing Ludogorets in the Europa League this season with the hosts still searching for their first group win and already knocked out of the competition, but Ludogorets do have three draws to their name. A point could prove enough for Zurich to top the group, but on if Leverkusen lose by three or more goals.