As the Champions League moves aside for the week, Thursday sees the Europa League and Europa Conference League swing into action. Arsenal’s trip to PSV Eindhoven has been postponed due to policing issues, but West Ham United and Manchester United will be in play.
Firstly, in the case of the United, the Red Devils travel to the Moldovan capital Chisinau to face Sheriff Tiraspol. Last season’s surprise package in the Champions League, the hosts opened their campaign with a win at likely Group E whipping boys Omonia Nicosia last time out and sit level on points with Real Sociedad – United’s conquerors at Old Trafford in MD1.
Though the visitors have won four in five games, Sheriff themselves have won three on the bounce and whilst significantly sterner opposition here, the Moldovans will still fancy their chances of getting some sort of result against Erik ten Hag’s side who remain in transition. The draw at 11/2 with Unibet might garner some action, but if that punt does not suit, surely a 21/17 shot with SBK for BTTS to score is worth a flutter?
In the Europa Conference League over in Denmark, after a comfortable if ill-tempered victory over FCSB, West Ham look to consolidate their position as Group B leaders against Silkeborg. Two teams with chequered form of late, this could be tight contest on paper, indeed, the hosts’ last three games have ended 1-0.
Always a risky ploy, the under goals market could yet be lucrative, therefore. Playing it safe for under 2.5 goals at 5/4 with BetUK.com has every chance of landing, whilst for the slightly braver punter, SkyBet’s price of 7/2 for under 1.5 goals could reward the plucky.
On the flip side, the game that could provide them in abundance may be in Portugal as Braga entertain a Union Berlin that have made an electric start to the Bundesliga campaign and sit top in Germany. Despite defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in MD1, the Berliners will be keen to show their true side.
Braga, however, have scored at least three goals in five of the last seven and keeping the goals out will be an issue. That makes this clash all the more appealing. For Braga to net over 2.5 goals, both Betfair and PaddyPower are offering 5/1 odds. It might be more prudent however, to back a total goals tally of over 2.5 widely at 11/10, or to go one more at over 3.5 goals for a more than attainable 3/1 with PariMatch.
Of the other bets to catch the eye, Lazio travel to Midtjylland and Ciro Immobile will be looking to build momentum in front of goal after – by his standards – a relatively quiet spell in the goals. Netting at home to Verona in Serie A this past weekend, for the Italian to score first for the Biancocelesti, William Hill carry the best boosted price of 4/1.
Finally, in the Eternal City, AS Roma could be on the goal hunt against Finnish side HJK and whilst Andrea Belotti will be looking to net his first goals in Rome since his switch from Torino in the summer, it might just be Leonardo Spinazzola who steals the show.
Part of Italy’s European Championship-winning side, the full-back has recently returned from injury once more and will be bombing down the flanks here. For Spinazzola to grab an assist, 11/4 odds with Betfair dangle invitingly.
