“Thurdays Nights are Europa Nights!” – Arsenal and Man Utd head the betting to win the Europa League but they both face different tasks tonight to make it to the last 8.
Manchester United should see things through in Seville where they defend their 4-1 lead over Real Betis.
United put in a strong performance last week after the stinging criticism that followed their 7-0 defeat at Anfield but they followed that with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Southampton so you wouldn’t be overly confident in backing them at 21/20 to win tonight.
Betis’ domestic form is still holding up, they’re fifth in La Liga and they recently held Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw at home. In fact they’ve already beaten United 1-0 at Estadio Benito Villamarín this season, when the sides met in a December friendly.
We can’t read too much in to that result but it could be a similarly tight game tonight. It’s not beyond Erik ten Hag to set up to stifle the game and keep Betis at arms length in the tie. United kept four clean sheets in the Group stages and have managed 11 in 26 Premier League games.
Under 2.5 Goals would see United through and as we saw in Madrid last night it could be a case that with a three-goal deficit the tie is already beyond the Spaniards, while the Red Devils will be happy to see out the tie without over-exerting themselves.
Mikel Arteta won’t see a run in the Europa League as a distraction but give him UEFA glory or a clear run at the Premier League title and he’d most likely opt for the latter. That won’t dissuade him from giving his all tonight as Arsenal aim to better their 2-2 draw in Lisbon last week.
The Gunners are 2/5 to win inside the 90 minutes but they’ll need to be on their mettle to take care of things against dangerous opponents. Sporting are in good form in Portugal and were impressive in disposing of Midtjylland 5-1 on aggregate in the previous round after dropping into the competition following a third placed finish in Champions League Group D.
This will be their second visit to London this campaign following a 1-1 draw at Spurs back in October. They also got the better of Arsenal’s north London rivals in Lisbon so shouldn’t be written off too readily at 9/1 tonight.
It could be another open game and with Sporting in good goal-scoring form both teams to score appeals at 19/20.
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The PGA Tour continues with its final Florida swing event with this week’s Valspar Championship. The Caddy brings us his best bets to pick up the $1,458,000 prize.
Cheltenham Festival Tips
We go again at Cheltenham, where it’s St Patrick’s Thursday – any excuse to enjoy a Guinness or two – and Rizzel is on hand to guide us through the day’s seven races.
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- 14:50 – Ryanair Chase
- 15:30 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
- 16:10 – Magners Plate Handicap Chase
- 16:50 – Jack De Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
- 17:30 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Champion Cheltenham Tipster
Day Three entries are now open in our Cheltenham Tipster Competition. Well done to garyf who won yesterday’s £25 free bet with 21 points thanks to 3 winners and 2 second places on Wednesday.
Cheltenham Festival Free Bets & Bonuses
Get ready for the Cheltenham Festival by boosting your betting bank thanks to these Top 10 Welcome Offers.
We’ve compiled a list of the best free bets, bookie bonuses and bet credits you can claim ahead of the Festival when you open a new account at any of our Top 10 online boookmakers.
As always, let us know your best betting tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!
The post Thursday’s Top Tips: All Tight on the Night for United in Spain appeared first on MrFixitsTips.
