West Ham’s excellent domestic season could be surpassed by European success but standing in their way of a quarter-final place are Europa League experts Sevilla.
The Spaniards have won the trophy six times in the last 16 years. Amazingly in that period they’ve only played in the competition 10 times, either due to Champions League participation or failure to qualify, so the task at hand for the Hammers is a biggie.
Domestically Sevilla remain Real Madrid’s nearest contenders in La Liga although they’re eight points off top spot. Their home form has seen them go 13 unbeaten at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium (W10 D3), which hosts this year’s final, although Lille beat them during a disappointing Champions League group stage so there is a chink of light for the Hammers.
David Moyes men have been pretty decent on the road this season including wins away in Vienna and Zagreb. They’ve lost five on the road in the Premier League but you can forgive them defeats at Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Man Utd. Both teams could be well matched in Andalusia and the draw pays 11/5 but you can play things a little safer by taking BTTS at 1/1.
After a stunning win over Borussia Dortmund in the last round Rangers will be expecting another raucous night at Ibrox for the visit of Red Star Belgrade. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst will be keen to take a positive result to Serbia next week where Red Star remain unbeaten in the league.
The Gers finished a distant second to Lyon in Group A but after that 6-4 aggregate win over Dortmund anything is possible with Van Bronckhorst’s side. They’ve been ekeing out wins in the Premiership but European nights hit differently and there could be goals tonight. Over 2.5 Goals pays 10/11 as does Both Teams to Score.
Dutchman Serdar Gözübüyük is in charge and in his six European matches this season he’s dished out 34 cards (6-9-4-7-2-6) so it could pay to jump on cards. Both teams to receive two or more cards is 5/6 at Bet365.
Goals should be guaranteed in Bergamo where Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen meet. The Bundesliga has been awash with goals and German teams just look like they can’t defend. Atalanta are ready made to take advantage. They’re not as prolific as last season but matches are averaging 3.0 goals per game in Serie A. Leverkusen are averagin 4.13 in Bundesliga. Back Over 2.5 at 4/6.
Jesse Marsch’s tenure as Leeds United boss started with defeat, going down 1-0 at Leicester at the weekend. Tonight they welcome a bouyant Aston Villa who produced on their best peformances of the season in their Phillipe Coutinho-insprired 4-0 win over Watford. Going with recent form Villa look overpriced at 8/5.
Chelsea looked back to themselves with a 4-0 win at Burnely and can hammer another nail in Norwich‘s coffin with a win at Carrow Road. The Blues put seven past the Canries earlier in the season and can grab at least a couple at 4/9 in a comfortable away win.
Goals Double
- Chelsea to score 2+ & Over 2.5 Goals at Atalanta v Leverkusen 7/5 Bet365
Upcoming Match Previews & Tips
- Thursday’s Goals Accumulator Tips: Today’s 5/1 Both Teams to Score & Total Team Goals Acca
- SlipsTips Tips: Southampton vs Newcastle Bet Builder
- Thu 17:45 Sevilla v West Ham United
- Thu 19:45 Leeds United v Aston Villa
- Thu 20:00 Leicester City v Rennes
- Thu 20:00 Barcelona v Galatasaray
- Thu 20:00 Atalanta v Bayer Leverkusen
- Thu 20:00 Rangers v Red Star Belgrade
- Thu 20:00 Marseille v FC Basel
- Thu 20:00 SC Braga v Monaco
- Fri 19:45 Ayr United v Kilmarnock
- Fri 20:00 West Bromwich Albion v Huddersfield Town
Golf Tips
Billed as the fifth major, 144 of the world’s best players gather at TPC Sawgrass in Florida for the Players Championship, where a staggering $20m purse is on the line with $3.6m going to the winner. Meanwhile the DP World Tour gathers in South Africa at the MyGolfLife Open.
The Caddy, who hit the bar with T2nd Victor Hovland last weekend, is back with his three best bets for each tournament plus his ever-reliable matchbet NAPs as he aims to keep his sensational winning run going.
- Golf Betting Tips: The Players Championship Preview & Predictions
- Golf Betting Tips: MyGolfLife Open Preview & Predictions
Today’s Racing Tips
Rizzel has picked out three EW prices horses for Thursday’s action and Cairnzy serves up his best bet of the day.
- Racing tips: Briery Express has a nice chance after making a positive return from 1000 days off the track
- Thursday’s Free Racing Tips: Take on the Short Favourite at Southwell
As always, let us know your tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!
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