The end of the midweek coupon entails the Europa League match day five where qualification for some teams can be sealed, as well as some elimination. I do think selected fixtures will see goals, although some will not!
Our treble pays a tasty 9/2 at BetVictor which can top your pockets up for the weekend.
Celtic Vs Ajax
Ronnie Deila’s Celtic welcomes Dutch outfit Ajax in a Europa League tie, which saw the reverse fixture tied with four goals in the game and think a repeat of goals is on the cards in this fixture. Celtic are rock bottom of their mini group, with a win for either side keeping in touch with Fenerbache, although a win for the Turkish side will put one foot into the knockout stage.
A draw for both sides is not the end of the world, but this depends on both sides attitudes towards the fixture under the Celtic Park lights in the later kick off.
Ajax comes into this with good form in the Eredivisie winning all but one of the last five games. Celtic on the other hand are riding six points clear on top of the SPL only dropping nine points in the first fifteen games.
According to reports and team news Bitton and Johansen are both ineligible to play this game, while forward Kris Commons is an injury doubt. With the motivation of both sides, morale in the Celtic camp is steady, and the Scottish Champions will go for a result.
With the goal line practically a pick-em there is a general 4/5 on offer for the game to go over. With the score line tendencies in the Europa League, this game is boom or bust for both, so expect neither to park the bus.
Advised bet: Over 2.5 goals at 1.78 with BetVictor
Liverpool Vs Bordeaux
Liverpool can secure qualification with a point and can achieve this versus French side Bordeaux under the Anfield lights Thursday night.
The reds enter this game after some renewed confidence after recent wins versus Chelsea and this last weekend at Manchester City, where they played with some sublime football to win four goals to one. The French side come into this game with a mixed bag of form, with just three wins in the last ten, sitting in thirteenth position in Ligue one.
The reverse fixture game ended in a draw, with both sides games ended with fewer than three goals. Of the last six in all competition, both sides have registered four games with the under line. Surely another goal drought is on the cards and bookies marginally favour the less than three in this game. With the form in this group it is difficult to make a case for goals in this game as the home side will know one more tight display will suffice into the next round of the competition.
You will find fewer than three goals at around 1.9 with most firms.
Advised bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.9 with BetVictor
FK Qarabag vs Tottenham
Spurs come into this and will have one eye on the weekend clash with Chelsea; a game they will be keen to see off their rivals. Tottenham’s opponents FK Qarabag are still in with a shout with qualification and have improved their chances since their opening game defeat in this reverse fixture. Since they pocketed a one nil win to Anderlecht, followed by a narrow loss by the same score line to Monaco, and then a score draw in the reverse fixture.
Spurs in this competition over recent years have set up to win all their home games, and keep their away ties tight.
The unbeaten Spurs with the best current form in the Premier League in the last ten will fly a gruelling six hours to Azerbaijan. I expect Mauricio Pochettino’s men to play a defensive style, as they will want to preserve as much energy before Sunday’s crunch tie.
Home side Qarabag are top of their premiere division with a clear lead at the top. Seven of their thirteen games have resulted in fewer than three goals with Spurs having three of the last six heading under.
As mentioned, I am comfortable backing the under market here for the reasons specified and bookmakers have this market firmly covered around the 7/10 mark and with Sunday firmly in sight, Spurs will settle for a goal shy encounter.
Advised bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.6 with BetVictor
Recommendations:
Over 2.5 goals at Celtic
Under 2.5 goals at Liverpool
Under 2.5 goals at Qarabag
