After a great start to the Europa League with a BTTS treble two weeks ago, we’re hoping to double our delight on Thursday night with another three selections.
If all six teams score, we’ll be looking at a payout of exactly 6/1. With all games starting at 8:05PM, let’s hope for a night of goals, goals, goal.
Good luck!
AEK Athens v Austria Vienna
Austria Vienna were humbled by A.C Milan a fortnight ago but did still manage to find the target against the Italians. As they make a difficult trip to the Greek capital, there’s a good chance that a similar story will develop.
The visitors were in great scoring before Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Salzburg, but that point will have provided Thorsten Fink’s men with even more confidence. However, they could do with a positive result if they want to remain in Europe after the new year. The firepower of Felipe Pires and co. should at least give them a good chance of finding the net.
AEK are a strong outfit themselves, though, and enter this clash on the back of five straight competitive wins and a nine match unbeaten streak. Those qualities should be enough to find their way through the Vienna backline at the Stadio Spyros Louis.
We’d edge towards a home win but, at odds of 5/4, think the BTTS selection is worth its inclusion.
Braga v Istanbul Basaksehir
Having been the only team in Group C to grab three points on the opening night, Portuguese side Braga now boast a fantastic chance to grab pole position to top the group. Then again, Istanbul Basaksehir may have something to say about that.
The Turkish outfit were held 0-0 in their opener, but should not be ignored in terms of quality. Last season’s domestic league runners-up are blessed with good attacking options in the form of Emmanuel Adebayor, Eljero Elia and Mevlut Erdinc while the experience of Gokhan Inler and Emre Belozoglu could be key in such a big away trip.
Braga certainly have defensive weaknesses, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight. Still, Abel Ferreira’s men are in good form and will look to Koka and co. for another big night at the Estadio AXA.
It’s unlikely to be the highest scoring fixture of the night, but there should be chances for both sides. We’re backing both teams to get on the scoreboard at some stage.
Lyon v Atalanta
Serie A side Atalata destroyed Everton on matchday one and will be in good spirits heading into their next Europa League fixture. Nevertheless, they should expect a tough test at the Groupama against a decent Lyon side.
Aside from an opening day loss against Roma, the visitors have scored in all of their competitive games this term and are currently on a five match unbeaten streak. When combined with the goals of Andrea Petagna, Alejandro Gomez, and Andreas Cornelius, it’s likely that the Italians will grab a goal.
Lyon can be equally confident about grabbing the points, though. Bruno Genesio can look to Memphis Depay, Nabil Fekir, and Bertrand Traore among others for inspiration. After picking up an away draw at Apollon, a win here would already set them on course to reach the last 32.
Both teams will be determined to get the points, which will hopefully lend itself to an attack-minded contest. If the other two games roll in too, we’ll already have covered our Europa League bets for the season.
