*All odds in copy correct at time of publication and they’re always bang on with our clever betting banners.
Arsenal and Leicester City top their groups in the Europa League after winning three from three, but both face tricky away fixtures on Thursday evening.
Can they make it four out of four? The markets are siding with both of the English sides here and we’ve gone deep into the stats to find a delicious looking double packed with value.
5.55pm: Molde vs Arsenal – Arsenal to Score Over 1.5 Goals in the Second Half
Molde have beaten Dundalk and Rapid Wien so far but were 4-1 losers at the Emirates earlier this month. They’re in pretty decent form of late, winning three, drawing one and losing one of their last five matches. At home they’re very strong; of their last 15 matches at the Aker Stadion they’ve won 11, drawn two and lost two.
Arsenal had been in pretty good form until just before the international break when they lost 0-3 at home to Aston Villa and drew 0-0 away to Leeds on the return of the Premier League last weekend. Their away form is good though, they’ve won two, drawn two (winning one on penalties) and lost one of their last five on their travels.
Gunners fans will know that they do most of their work in the second half and they’ve scored six second-half goals in the Premier League compared to just three in the first period of play.
This is also the case in the Europa League where they’ve scored seven after the break compared to just three before it so far this campaign. Molde are a decent side but coming up against a Premier League outfit they’re likely to struggle and with Arsenal’s experience of finding the net in the final 45 we think they’re good value to be had in Arsenal to Score Over 1.5 Second Half goals here.
5.55pm: Braga vs Leicester City – Leicester to Win the First Half
Braga are on a mighty run of form at the moment. They’re second in the Liga Premiera, winning five and losing two of their seven matches, scoring a very healthy 17 goals. They’ve won four out of their last five, losing the other and at home have also won four and lost one of their last five matches.
Leicester’s form is very good as well. They’ve also won four and lost one of their last five and on their travels. They’re scoring plenty as well – 18 over their nine Premier League matches and nine over their three in the Europa League.
Braga’s one weakness is that they’re not scoring many first-half goals, indeed they’ve scored just two over their five most recent home matches.
Leicester, on the other hand, have netted five in their past five away games and have been leading at half-time in all three of their previous Europa League matches to boot. Again, we’re getting some nice odds here so we’re backing Leicester to Win the First Half.
Europa League early kick-off double
5.55pm: Molde vs Arsenal – Arsenal to Score Over 1.5 Goals in the Second Half
5.55pm: Braga vs Leicester City – Leicester to Win the First Half
*All odds in copy correct at time of publication and they’re always bang on with our clever betting banners.
More tips for Thursday
- Rapid Vienna to outclass Dundalk – but expect goals at both ends
- Call on Kane in these two bets for Tottenham v Ludogorets
- Celtic and Rangers combine for our 6/1 Europa League double
Friday’s top tips
- Eze does it for Crystal Palace v Newcastle in this 24/1 Same Game Multi
- Our 3 best bets for the West London derby between Brentford and QPR
- PHIL THOMPSON: My 9/1 punt for Palace v Newcastle
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