* 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.
Can I shock you? I actually quite like the Europa League. It’s got big international-break vibes with all manner of mad sides of wildly-varying quality going at it at all times of day. If you’re a Europa Head like me, you’ll know there’s some real action to enjoy in the silly 5.45pm kick offs.
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This week we’ve got two British sides in action with both Leicester and Rangers looking for the first win of their continental campaigns. Brendan Rodgers’ boys are heading to Poland to tackle Legia Warsaw while Rangers are off to the Czech Republic to play Sparta Prague. And, you know what? I think both teams that we know well will get positive results. Let’s work out how and dig out the best value.
Legia Warsaw v Leicester – Leicester Win & Over 2.5 Goals
TV: BT Sport 2
Leicester have had a disappointing start to the 2021/22 season and find themselves down in 13th with two wins from their six Premier League games. On the face of it their 2-2 draw in the Europa League Group C opener with Napoli was also underwhelming, especially after being 2-0 up, but the Serie A side are going great guns and top their domestic league with a perfect record.
So, to Thursday’s game where The Foxes are overwhelming favourites. I tend to agree with Paddy and think I’ve found a nice route to get some good value out of an away victory. That’s by bolting Over 2.5 Goals onto a Leicester Win.
The Foxes have had over 2.5 Goals in five of their last seven games and they’ve conceded in six of their last seven. Legia have been amongst the goals recently and Overs has landed in their last three, though they were a bit goal-shy before that.
They’ve scored in seven of their last nine games and, given Leicester’s injury problems and leaky defence I think the Polish side might give their fans something to cheer here. If The Foxes concede they’ll need to score twice to win so Leicester to Win and Over 2.5 Goals kicks us off in Thursday’s early games.
Sparta Prague v Rangers – Rangers Win & Over 2.5 Goals
TV: BT Sport 3
Scottish champions Rangers head east to face last season’s 3rd-best team in the Czech First Division, Sparta Prague. Sparta find themselves in 3rd in the 2021/22 season while Rangers also occupy the position they finished last season in.
Rangers’ title win was built on a rock-solid defence but they’ve not been as sharp this time around and are shipping 0.71 goals a game in the league. The Gers are just about favourites here and they desperately need a win after losing 2-0 to Lyon in their Group A opener.
Sparta got a draw against Brondby and are clearly no mugs, however I think the Scottish giants will come away with the win here. Much like the Leicester game, there’s extra value about in adding an Over 2.5 Goals punt on the match odds.
Rangers have been fairly tight at the back but Sparta have scored in eight of their last nine and clearly have some firepower going forward. So, using the same logic as for Leicester I think Rangers might let one in and will need to pass the Over 2.5 Goals mark if they are to Win.
Thursday early Europa acca
5.45pm: Legia Warsaw v Leicester – Leicester Win & Over 2.5 Goals
5.45pm: Sparta Prague v Rangers – Rangers Win & Over 2.5 Goals
* 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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