* 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 real heads know Thursday’s where it’s at. The mighty Europa League returns and it’s a competition where genuinely anything can happen. I’ll admit, this year’s edition might be tarnished somewhat by the arrival of fallen giants Barcelona, but that just makes the prospect of their exit even more alluring.
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Napoli are the first to have a pop at them in one of the fascinating 5.45pm matches this week. The other really interesting one is Borussia Dortmund v Rangers where Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham will pit their wits against the likes of Steven Davis and Scott Arfield.
I think there’s a nice bet to be had in Sheriff Tiraspol v Braga as well so I’ll throw all three games into the pot to hopefully create a tasty treble. So, here’s three fine punts for Thursday’s 5.45pm Europa League clashes.
*A treble with these best bets pays at approximately 7/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Barcelona v Napoli – Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals
TV: BT Sport ESPN
It’s a cracking game to kick us off where the once-mighty Barcelona enter unchartered territory known to me and you as the Europa League. They take on Napoli in what is undoubtedly the tie of the round. The Italians will fancy their chances of progression, though maybe a little less than they would have six weeks ago following Barca’s remarkable recruitment drive while effectively under a transfer embargo.
How these new players will affect this match remains to be seen, but most of them have been brought in to bolster the frontline and that’s only playing into our hands here. I’m on Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals in this one.
Napoli are reliable scorers and have netted in each of their last seven games, with Over 2.5 landing in just two of those, but that’s mainly down to their defence. It will be tested against Barcelona, though, who have scored in their last 11 with Overs landing seven times. Their defence is really leaky and I think we’ll see both sides score multiple times in this one.
Borussia Dortmund v Rangers – Over 3.5 Goals
TV: BT Sport 2
To Germany where Rangers face a daunting task against the Bundesliga’s second-best team, Borussia Dortmund. However, The Gers have been in fine fettle since getting battered 3-0 by Celtic. In their last three they’ve scored 10 and conceded none.
Dortmund are fun to watch but not if you’re one of those strange people who are a fan of rock-solid defensive football. They did nab a 3-0 win last time but that was their first clean sheet for seven games. They’ve seen a staggering 34 goals in their last seven games, an average just shy of 4.9 goals a game! Honestly, I’ve checked it twice.
They’ve won four and lost three over that run so maybe Rangers can outscore them if it turns into a slugfest. I can’t see any reason why BVB will change their approach and the play here has to be with backing goals – and lots of them.
Rangers have averaged 3.8 goals per game over their last five so, in theory, we could and should comfortably see Over 3.5 Goals. The only concern is if Dortmund’s defence shows up but that’s the exception rather than the rule.
Sheriff v Braga – Sheriff Win/Draw Double Chance
We’ll finish in Moldova, of course, where Sheriff Tiraspol host Portuguese side Braga. Sheriff caused a footballing earthquake when they beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu in the Champions League group stages. They won their first two games but then petered out and find themselves in the Europa League once more.
Braga finished 2nd in their Europa League group, just pipping Midtjylland to progress. The key in this game could be each side’s respective home and away form. Essentially, Sheriff are very good at home and Braga are a bit ropey on the road.
Braga are still Paddy’s big favourites which must be a rarity in this round, where the side dropping down from the Champions League are the under dogs – especially at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sheriff win this inside the 90, however, at the price I’m happy to hedge my bets and take the Sheriff Win/Draw Double Chance.
Of their last eight away games, Braga have won just two, losing the other six. Add in the extra travel and how comfortable Sheriff are on home soil, then I think we could see an upset in this one, even if Braga eventually progress at home in the second leg.
Thursday football tips
Barcelona v Napoli – Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals
Borussia Dortmund v Rangers – Over 3.5 Goals
Sheriff v Braga – Sheriff Win/Draw Double Chance
*A treble with these best bets pays at approximately 7/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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