After seeing Europe’s elite battle it out over Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursdays attentions turn to the Europa League where we will be hoping to land a tempting 9/2 both teams to score treble.
We’re already in profit for the group stage thanks to a matchday one winner. If it hadn’t been for Rosenborg’s blank, we’d have repeated the feat on matchday two too. With a slice of good fortune, this week’s action can hopefully see us celebrate a triumph once more.
Good luck!
Partizan Belgrade V Athletic Bilbao. 6PM
In Group L, Ljubinko Drulovic’s men have performed exceptionally well and currently sit top of the group with a perfect record of six points from six. A victory on matchday three would almost guarantee their place in the knockout phase, but the Serbians shoudlnt’ expect to have things all their own way against Spanish side Bilbao.
The home side might not be guaranteed a win, but they should have a great chance of goals. Strikers Valeri Bojinov and Aboubakar Oumarou have more than enough quality to find the target while the team boast 10 goals in their past five games alone.
However, the hosts haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last six games. Meanwhile, Athletic have scored six in their last three competitive matches, which have all come via BTTS winners. If the visitors can get the ball to veteran striker Aduriz on a regular basis, the Liga side should have no trouble finding the net here.
It’s hard to predict a winner, but there should be chances at both ends of the field. Back both teams to score.
BTTS Yes @ 8/11
Braga V Marseille. 8:05PM
Over in Group F, Portguese side Braga have enjoyed a perfect start after winning back-to-back fixtures without conceding a goal. Despite keeping four straight shutouts in all competitions, it’s hard to see them stopping Marseille at the Estadio AXA.
Paulo Fonseca’s men should be confident about scoring on home soil, though, especially as the visitors are conceding an alarming number in 2015/16. The likes of Alan and Nikola Stojiljkovic are more than capable of finding the net, and it’s their firepower that could put the hosts on the verge of knockout action.
However, Michel’s away side have found the target in each of their past four away games, and will be looking to the goals of Michiy Batshuayi for inspiration in Portugal. The Ligue 1 club now that a point would stand them in great stead to reach the last 32, but a win could be absolutely massive.
Both teams will be going for the win. Let’s hope this leads to a game of goals.
BTTS Yes @ 10/11
Fenerbahce V Ajax. 8:05PM
Goals have been a common feature in Group A so far, with 14 goals being scored in the four games thus far. We can’t see that rate slowing down as Ajax make the trip to Istanbul.
Aside from the Champions League clashes with Shakhtar, Turkish side Fenerbahce have scored in every match this season. That’s a run of 13 games where they’ve scored, with five of the last six ending in BTTS winners. With the likes of Robin van Persie and Nani in the attacking third, they shouldn’t have any problems in finding the target against their Dutch opponents.
Frank de Boer’s Ajax have scored in 15 of their 16 matches in 2015/16, though, and should be confident against a distinctly average Fenerbahce side. Youngster Anwar El Ghazi has been in particular good form in the opening months of the campaign while Lasse Schone and Davy Klaassen have more than enough quality to cause problems for the Turkish hosts.
It’s Fenerbahce who have a particular need for the win, but Ajax certainly can’t afford to lose. This should result in both teams adopting an attack-minded approach. We’re backing both to find the target here.
BTTS Yes @ 4/6
A £10 treble pays £58.10
