*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
We’ve taken the pick of the matches from the Europa League and the Europa Conference League (yes, there are some decent matches in there) and cooked up a hefty four-way accumulator for your Thursday night. Atalanta and RB Leipzig face off after a 1-1 first leg draw, Barcelona welcome Frankfurt to the Nou Camp and Rangers are looking to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against a useful Braga outfit.
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Meanwhile, in the Europa Conference League, Leicester travel to Eindhoven seeking to reach the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time in their history. Let’s get into the acca!
The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right now*An accumulator with these four bets pays at approximately 21/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
17:45 Atalanta v RB Leipzig: Over 2.5 Goals
TV: BT Sport Extra
Atalanta square off against Leipzig with the tie delicately poised. The two sides couldn’t be separated in the first-leg in Germany, with Davide Zappacosta’s scruffy own-goal rescuing a point for Leipzig after they’d squandered the chance to draw level from the spot. While they’ll fancy their chances on their own turf, the Bergamo side will be wary of Leipzig’s rampant away form. Domenico Todesco’s side arrive here having won their last six away games on the bounce, scoring 24 goals in the process and notching up scores of 3-1, 4-1, 4-0 and 6-1 (twice).
Atalanta’s home form, meanwhile, is slightly less imposing, having won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six. There is a likelihood of goals, however. Atalanta have been productive in front of goal of late, scoring 14 in their last eight home games, at a rate of 1.75 goals a game, a slight improvement on their overall season average. At the back, meanwhile, they’ve also been leaking goals having conceded in six of those last eight.
We’re backing action at both ends then, given both sides recent exploits, and we think over 2.5 goals is worth a shout.
17:45 PSV Eindhoven v Leicester: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals
TV: BT Sport 3
Leicester will feel the 0-0 first-leg result at the King Power was a missed opportunity, especially having had the majority of possession and arguably the game’s best chances. PSV’s home form won’t make the task easy for the Foxes as they’ve won six and drawn one of their last seven, scoring 22 goals in the process.
Leicester have scored in all but two of their last 17 away fixtures in all competitions and have found the net 10 times in the last four on the travels in Europe. Brendan Rodgers side should post a goal threat against a side who conceded four at home to FC Copenhagen in the last round.
This one is delicately balanced and is anyone’s guess who might go through. We’re expecting some more goals than the first leg, though, especially considering both sides did create openings but lacked composure at the last. We think the smart money is on Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 goals
20:00 Barcelona v Eintracht Frankfurt: Barcelona (-1)
TV: BT Sport ESPN
Barca’s recent upturn in fortune, due in large part to the appointment of Xavi, has been well documented. After a dismal start to the season, the Catalans are on a run of 11 wins and four draws in their last 15 matches. Throw in the fact they’ve scored 38 goals in the process – putting four past Real Madrid, Atletico and Serie A contenders Napoli – and Barca are arguably the most in-form side in Europe.
They’ll certainly fancy their chances of progressing against a team that find themselves languishing in ninth in the Bundesliga, unable to recapture the form that saw them finish 5th and qualify for this competition last season. Eintracht are winless in their last six in all competitions, failing to register more than one goal in any of those games and a fresh off the back of a home defeat at the weekend to Freiburg.
We fancy Barca here then, and given their form in front of goal, and Eintracht’s lack of it, we’re confident enough to throw in a handicap. We’re backing Barca (-1).
20:00 Rangers v Sporting Braga: The Draw
TV: BT Sport 2
Rangers come into this second-leg needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit but they might find Braga a tough nut to crack. The Portuguese side arrive at Ibrox unbeaten in five, winning four of those, and having tasted defeat just once in their last 11 in all competitions. They’ve been difficult to break down, too, as Rangers discovered last week. They’ve kept a clean sheet in six of those 11 matches while in the league, only the top two, Porto and Sporting Lisbon, have conceded fewer goals this season.
Rangers, on the other hand, have lost three of their last five. Of their last six at home, they’ve won half, drawing two and losing one. While they’ve lost their last two in this competition, they’ll point to a few impressive performances as proof they can hold their own in Europe. Their 6-4 aggregate win over Dortmund was a monumental result and they looked comfortable in a 3-0 home win over Red Star Belgrade.
If they can harness some of that Ibrox atmosphere, they should give Braga a good run for their money. The away side, however, know what they need to progress and are likely to shut up shop if required. The semi-finals may prove a step too far for Rangers – we’re backing the Draw.
Thursday Acca Tips
17:45 Atalanta v RB Leipzig: Over 2.5 Goals
17:45 PSV Eindhoven v Leicester: Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals
20:00 Barcelona v Eintracht Frankfurt: Barcelona (-1)
20:00 Rangers v Sporting Braga: The Draw
*An accumulator with these four bets pays at approximately 21/1with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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