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Football on Thursdays always has a slightly left-field feel to it. If it’s not the Europa League and the wonderfully mad Conference League then whatever rocks up on the fixture list is always sure to raise an eyebrow.
The first Thursday of 2022 is no different. We were looking forward to Arsenal v Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finals but that one’s been postponed due to Covid. However, there is a full round of Serie A matches as well as some Copa del Ray games over in Spain.
See, all kinds of crazy. We’ll start in Italy and finish with a nightcap down in Spain. Buckle up, here’s three fine flutters for Thursday that all work out into a rather nice treble.
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* A treble on these three bets pays at approximately 10/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
7.45pm: Fiorentina v Udinese – Over 2.5 Goals
TV: BT Sport 2
Serie A has a full midweek fixture list as one of the major European nations starts to catch up with the games the Premier League played over the last fortnight. Though, given the pandemic and whatnot, they’re not actually that far behind. Anyway, Fiorentina and Udinese go at it in one of the 7.45pm games as 14th head to 7th. Both of these are in good form, particularly the away side who have won their last three by hefty score lines to Nil. It’s making this a complicated game to call.
Fiorentina haven’t lost in six games in all competitions, winning four before drawing their last two. Absolute minefield. I’m going with goals here as, frankly, I have no idea who’s winning. I’m on Over 2.5 Goals. It’s landed in seven of Fiorentina’s last eight and five of the last six for Udinese.
Udinese’s defence has been rock solid recently but Fiorentina have scored in their last eight so I think the goals will flow again.
7.45pm: Juventus v Napoli – Juventus to Win to Nil
TV: BT Sport 1
Next to a heavyweight clash as Napoli head to face Juventus. The Old Lady have really sorted their act out recently and are up to 5th after a shambolic start while Napoli look to be on the way down after a barnstorming beginning. They are 3rd now and Juve can go within two points of them with a win here. Juve have won five of their last six, drawing the other, while Napoli have won two, drawn one and lost three over the same timeframe.
The goals have dried up for Napoli while Juventus’ defence has been near perfect, notching up five clean sheets in the last six. We have to be looking at Juventus here and I think for a bit of juice we can back them to Win to Nil.
8.30pm: Rayo Majadahonda v Atletico Madrid – Under 2.5 Goals
Copa del Rey time now where the mighty Atletico Madrid tackle Rayo Majadahonda. Now, for the uninitiated, Majadahonda hail from Madrid so this is a derby of sorts. They’re in the third tier of Spanish football and are doing quite well, they’re 6th after 16 games.
Obviously Atleti are huge favourites but they’ve been in woeful form losing five of their last eight. Rayo’s form is all over the place but they did beat Malaga last time in this competition to set up this clash.
I think this will be a pretty turgid affair with Atleti going back to basics after the winter break and just looking to grind it out. Rayo have had Unders in both of their games in this competition and they’ll be pulling down the shutters here. Under 2.5 Goals might be the best play.
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Thursday’s football tips
7.45pm: Fiorentina v Udinese – Over 2.5 Goals
7.45pm: Juventus v Napoli – Juventus to Win to Nil
8.30pm: Rayo Majadahonda v Atletico Madrid – Under 2.5 Goals
* A treble on these three bets pays at approximately 10/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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