*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish are used to being the butt of the jokes, really. It’s difficult to fight your corner when the shadow of the Premier League takes the light from your life and it’s no wonder we’ve all got Stockholm syndrome – picking English top tier sides as if it were our birthright.
But perhaps all it took was a made-up competition for Europe’s lesser-known sides to really show us that, while we’ll never be beating Norwich in a pre-season friendly no matter the competitive advantage, we can rock into Kazakhstan and give them a right good pasting.
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So with our newly-founded self-esteem intact – boasting a 17-4 aggregate advantage going into these second legs – and proudly carrying five wins and a draw, we can also be confident in our selections to back Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish teams in these competitions now.
But now we’re faced with the issue of largely positive results producing conservative second leg performances. This is always a scary betting proposition, but allow me to knock together a Thursday accumulator.
The below picks in a Paddy Power acca will give you odds of around 23/1. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
5.30pm: Santa Coloma v Hibs – Both Teams to Score
Being three-nil down from a first leg kind of takes the pressure off. Now, if I were Santa Coloma, I would simply be fearing for my life given we were just spanked in Scotland and now have to face another 90 of the exact same back in Andorra.
But the dynamic changes slightly. Being at home and not having the luxury to wait and see what happens means they’ll at least go for it. And that should allow both teams plenty of possession in and around the opposition boxes. While the result of this is a minefield, we can confident enough that each side will be inundated with chances and, eventually, Both Teams Scoring.
5.30pm: Levadia Tallinn v Dundalk – Dundalk or the Draw
I spoke to Dundalk midfielder Patrick McEleney on Sunday evening and he told me they had their chances to win that game at the end – and feel very confident ahead of this second leg. And he’d have every right to.
No, the glory years of Dundalk flying high in the Europa League aren’t there anymore and they’re closer to relegation than they are a league title – but they do retain a tonne of experience that helped them kick back twice in the first leg. I can’t see them beaten here so Dundalk or The Draw Double Chance feels like a great play against the Estonians.
5.30pm: Hacken v Aberdeen – Hacken to Win
Aberdeen have their league opener this weekend and with a 5-1 victory in the first leg, it’s really a case of damage limitation in the second leg over in Sweden and moving on. They can lose three-zip and be content and that’s a luxury rarely afforded in Europe, no matter the competition. Don’t be surprised if Hacken Win here.
6pm: AGF v Larne – Both Teams to Score
The biggest shock of the entire round came in this first leg. Larne may have thrown some money at their operation but in no circumstances did we foresee a 2-1 win. While the second leg should amend that expectation somewhat, it means that Aarhus can’t sit there and play their possession football with a goal advantage – they have to chase.
And we saw in the first leg just how deadly Larne are with balls into the box. Dean Jarvis and David McDaid are two beloved names in Derry City, and they’re bringing their years of experience into Europe. It would be remiss of me to suggest they won’t score again in Denmark. Both Teams To Score is the pick here.
7pm: Borac Banja Luka v Linfield – Borac to Win
It did just feel slightly too good to be true in Belfast. Everything went right and they’re obviously more than a match, but if you were to look at the first leg prices, this might have been the biggest turnaround of the lot. Bosnian outfit Borac will likely get compensation for that defeat here, even if the price isn’t overly tempting.
7.45pm: Bohemians v Dudelange – Bohs to Win
Bohs are funny in that they severely lack experienced, technically brilliant players. They’re a gorgeous mix of rough and tumble experience and gifted youngsters.
Dawson Devoy had lit up Irish football with some of his displays and their link-up with Kevin’s Boys in Dublin will only ensure that conveyor belt keeps turning. They were definitely the better side in Luxembourg and there’s no way you can see any other result than a Bohs Win in this leg.
Thursday’s Europa Conference accca
5.30pm: Santa Coloma v Hibs – Both Teams to Score
5.30pm: Levadia Tallinn v Dundalk – Dundalk or the Draw
5.30pm: Hacken v Aberdeen – Hacken to Win
6pm: AGF v Larne – Both Teams to Score
7pm: Borac Banja Luka v Linfield – Borac to Win
7.45pm: Bohemians v Dudelange – Bohs to Win
These selections in an acca-insured 6-fold will give you odds of around 23/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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