The Europa League qualification rounds have already been going on for weeks. This week sees a complete feast of Europa action, starting on Tuesday and ending late on Thursday night.
There are minnows, giants and a few teams under severe pressure after disappointing results last week. Here are a few thoughts and tips on the headline fixtures…
UJPEST vs SEVILLA
Ujpest weren’t expected to get a result in Seville. They caused no surprises with their 4-0 defeat, but they hardly helped themselves with Branko Pauljevic getting sent off after just half-an-hour.
Jesus Navas had given the Spanish side the lead with a rare goal, from there the tie was as good as over.
We may well see a rested side from Sevilla in the second leg. The other option is to view this as an extended preseason match, of course, which might see a cricket score.
Mismatches like this don’t do anyone any favours. Sevilla will be concerned about injury, but even a weakened side will probably run out easy winners.
TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/9
PREDICTED SCORE: Ujpest 0-3 Sevilla (Priced at 8/1 with 888sport)
RANGERS vs OSIJEK
Steven Gerrard’s reign at Rangers has got off to a great start, which continued with a 1-0 win away to Osijek in the first leg.
The Croatian side are still in this tie, but Rangers are understandably strong favourites to finish the job off in front of an expectant Glaswegian crowd.
Osijek managed to get a draw away to CS Petrocub in the last round but face a much tougher test in this one. They need to score at least twice to make it through without penalties and showed little attacking threat in the first leg.
Rangers are a decent price at 9/10 to get the win. Osijek at 11/4 to get a shock victory will surely tempt some, though.
TIP: Rangers to win @ 9/10
PREDICTED SCORE: Rangers 2-0 Osijek (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)
BURNLEY vs ABERDEEN
This fixture got the most attention of any Europa League qualifier. The all-British affair was not a great watch – ending 1-1 – but a massive night for Burnley as they returned to the European stage for the first time in half a century.
Turf Moor will be bouncing on Thursday night. The Clarets are without Nick Pope, who injured his shoulder in the first leg, but are pretty much at full strength.
Sean Dyche’s side are the strong favourites on home soil. Few will bet against the Lancashire club given their record at Turf Moor.
Aberdeen played well in the first leg, but they will need something really special to upset the odds in this one. Burnley’s European adventure is set to continue.
TIP: Burnley to win @ 2/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Burnley 2-0 Aberdeen (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
FK SARAJEVO vs ATALANTA
This tie looked to be done and dusted when Atalanta led 2-0 at half-time in the first leg. FK Sarajevo flipped it on its head with two goals in five second half minutes, however, to set up an intriguing second leg clash in Bosnia.
Atalanta were heavy favourites at home but have slipped to 4/9 to win this one.
It would be a huge shock for the Serie A club to fall from the competition at this hurdle, particularly after their impressive displays in the Europa League last season.
The first leg was a warning for Atalanta, but – just as it did in the first half – their superior quality should see them through even in a hostile atmosphere.
TIP: Atalanta to win @ 4/9
PREDICTED SCORE: FK Sarajevo 1-3 Atalanta (Priced at 21/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
