Thursday signals matchday five of this year’s Europa League group phase, and all 48 teams will be eager to put in strong performances as they look to seal their places in the last 32.
We’ve picked three games where we think both teams score. At odds of 13/4 with SkyBet, it would be the perfect way to build our bankrolls ahead of what will hopefully be an eventful weekend.
Good luck!
Augsburg V Athletic Bilbao. 6PM
In Group L, back-to-back wins over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar have given Augsburg a real hope of reaching the last 32. However, Markus Weinzerl’s men know that they won’t have things easy as they welcome Athletic Bilbao to the WWK Arena.
Augsburg haven’t enjoyed the bests of seasons and currently reside inside the Bundesliga’s relegation zone. However, an emphatic 4-0 weekend win at Stuttgart will give the home side confidence, especially against an away side that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in four competitive matches.
Nonetheless, Ernesto Valverde’s visitors will enter this clash with high expectations. If they can unleash the likes of Inaki Williams and Aritz Aduriz in the final third, then there’s no reason that Bilbao shouldn’t add to the 10 goals they’ve already scored in this European campaign.
The reverse clash ended in a 3-1 win for the Spaniards. A repeat scoreline might not be the worst shout again here.
BTTS Yes @ 4/7 with SkyBet
Basel V Fiorentina. 6PM
Arguably the night’s most exciting contest comes from St Jakop Park as Swiss side Basel look to seal their place in the knockouts with a win. However, Paulo Sousa’s Fiorentina should offer a very tough test.
After all, Viola enter this contest on the back of a five-game unbeaten run while they also boast the likes of Guiseppe Rossi, Nikola Kalinic and Khouma Babacar in the attacking third. Considering their quality, along with the fact Basel have lost each of their last two matches, the Italians will be expected to score.
However, it is worth noting that Urs Fischer’s men have scored in all 27 competitive fixtures this season. That includes seven in four Europa League matches and includes the 2-1 reverse win in Italy.
This should be a fierce clash between the top two teams in Group I. Back both teams to score.
BTTS Yes @ 4/6 with SkyBet
Celtic V Ajax. 8:05PM
Ronny Deila’s Celtic enter Thursday’s clash with Ajax knowing that nothing less than a win will do as they look to keep their Europa League dream alive. And the SPL champions will be almost certain to adopt an attacking approach at Parkhead.
While the hosts have only picked up two points from a possible 12, they have at least scored six goals from their previous four Group A matches. In fact, all four of those fixtures have ended in BTTS winners, and there’s no reason to believe the drama will die down here.
Ajax’s Europa League matches haven’t been overly dramatic, but Frank de Boer’s men have both scored and conceded in their last two matches. Their defensive weaknesses can be exploited by Celtic, but there’s no doubt that the attacking threat Anwar El Ghazi, Davy Klaasen and co can cause problems for the hosts.
It took just 24 minutes for both teams to find the target when they met at the Amsterdam ArenA. We’re expecting a similarly dramatic night in Glasgow.
BTTS Yes @ 8/13 with SkyBet
A £10 treble pays £42.50 with SkyBet
