* 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.
Just to confirm, a lot of naysayers were quick to point out that the Europa Conference League was merely diluting the quality of European competition and that smaller teams getting in takes away the allure of continental football to begin with.
I can assure you that these people also would have wanted the Super League and exclusively play FIFA with PSG. It’s terrific for smaller clubs to get the chance to play and more importantly, progress, in these games because it should increase the experience given to professionals in the sport we love.
NEW TO PADDY POWER?
In fact, I could even argue the only person who loses out from the European Super League is your local tipster who has to spend all evening read about clubs that look like the letters on the Countdown board before the introverts unscramble them. But persist I shall, and while we typically overstate the likelihood of our local teams’ chances in Europe, this new tier of competition has us doing exactly the opposite now. And I’d be a fool for not noticing the trends and getting stung.
So, let’s take a look at your Thursday night viewing and fill you with an acca that will focus your eyes on countries you probably wouldn’t find on a labelled map.
The below picks in a Paddy Power Acca will give you odds of around 14/1. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
18:00: Vitesse v Dundalk – Both Teams to Score
Dundalk have gotten results against better teams than Vitesse before. Yet, over the years they’ve lost a lot of their talismen in Richie Towell, Daryl Horgan and co – but as last week proved to us, their experience in these games genuinely ranks quite high in such a metric and when Patrick McEleney and Will Patching get together, magic generally occurs.
Vinny Perth has steadied the ship and perhaps most notably, they’re not playing games as two-legged ties anymore. They’ll attack here and backing them to score is the only play I can envisage.
19:45: Hibernian v Rijeka – Hibs to Win
Scottish football is among the most polarising leagues to gauge when it comes to European competition. Yes, the quality at the top end can grab a result off Barcelona on any given day – we’ve seen that – but the bottom end really might struggle to avoid the drop in League One. Hibs have typically fallen somewhere in between those and now it’s time they picked a side.
If it had been for the Europa League, this would have been a different selection but Rijeka, who were 24 points off league winners Dinamo Zagrab don’t pose as big a threat as their hard-to-decipher name suggests. Josip Drmic is comfortably their standout player, but they struggle for any meaningful international representation beyond him.
20:00: Breidablik v Aberdeen – Aberdeen to Win
My favourite thing about this tie is that Breidablik have Thomas Mikkelsen in their ranks. If that name rings a bell, it’s because he’s played for Dundee United and Ross County. He’s the primary source of goals for the Icelandic side and if his record in Scotland is the form line to go off here, then Aberdeen might be the bet of the round.
He netted just three times in his most recent spell in Scotland and Aberdeen almost certainly have their number. They’ve also shipped 18 goals in just 14 games – the highest total in the top half of the Icelandic top tier.
20:00: Shamrock Rovers v Teuta – Both Teams to Score
Rovers are best-equipped to boost that coefficient for the League of Ireland but they do have their faults. Despite absolutely having the best technical players on display for this tie, there’s always a sense that they make it slightly tougher for themselves than it needs to be.
Now, Teuta are contenders for being the worst team in this round, but knowing Rovers and the uncertainty over Liam Scales, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them grab a goal, even if it mattered little in the grand scheme of the tie.
Europa Conference acca:
18:00: Vitesse v Dundalk – Both Teams to Score
19:45: Hibernian v Rijeka – Hibs to Win
20:00: Breidablik v Aberdeen – Aberdeen to Win
20:00: Shamrock Rovers v Teuta – Both Teams to Score
These picks in a Paddy Power Acca will give you odds of around 14/1. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
ACCA INSURANCE
If one leg of your 4+ fold Acca lets you down, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Acca Insurance per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
* 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.
READ MORE:
- Football Tips: Our 33/1 Premier League relegation treble for the new season
- Football Tips: EFL Championship best bets – winner, promotion, relegation and top scorer verdicts
- Rooney accidentally burns down Derby training complex after leaving toast on too long
- Fella on Twitter: ‘Varane’s sh*te now’ as United swoop
- #OleOut to trend until 2024, with option of extra year
- Paddy’s Rewards Club: Win a trip for two to ANY Premier League game
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
