This week is not all about the Champions League, far from it in fact.
The Europa League play-offs get started on Thursday evening, with 16 talented teams aiming to reach the knockout stage.
Two Belgian sides are fighting for their lives in Anderlecht and Union Saint-Gilloise, with the former just missing out on a spot in the Top 8.
Read on for some betting online tips for this week’s high-octane Europa League action, part of our mission to help you bet on football.
As well as a range of exciting features, we have great free-to-play games such as Prono Foot, a predictive test with a huge jackpot to be won!
*All odds are subject to change
Fenerbahce to beat Anderlecht @ 1.45
Anderlecht lost their last two Europa League matches, disappointing results which saw them miss out on the Top 8. The punishment is a tough two-legged tie against Fenerbahce, managed by veteran coach Jose Mourinho. On home soil, the Turkish side are a match for any team in Europe, although did draw 0-0 with Lyon in front of their own fans on Matchday 7. However, with the added pressure of a knockout tie, we are expecting Fenerbahce to rise to the occasion and take a commanding lead to Belgium next week. Keep an eye out for Youssef En-Nesyri, who has scored 13 league goals for Mourinho this season.
Galatasaray to beat AZ Alkmaar @ 2.50
Our Europa League tips have a distinct Turkish delight feel to them. Yet to lose in the Super Lig, Galatasaray will be disappointed not to have automatically qualified for the Round of 16. A trip to AZ is never an easy assignment, with the Dutch side losing only one of the last five in Europe. But with a strikeforce of Victor Osimhen, Alvaro Morata and Dries Mertens, Gala have the tools to put the tie to bed before the second leg in Istanbul.
Bodo Glimt to beat Twente @ 3.40
Bodo Glimt are quietly becoming a bit of a force in European football. The Norwegians only missed out on a spot in the Top 8 on goal difference, finishing 9th with four wins and only two defeats. Twente scraped into the play-offs with victories on Matchday 7 and 8, making this fixture a potential cracker for the neutral. And we are riskily predicting the underdogs to put themselves in the driving seat, but in reality, it is an incredibly difficult match to call.
Roma to beat Porto @ 2.90
Another underdog makes the cut! Porto are used to being in the Champions League, but are now fighting to stay in the Europa League. Drawing Roma will have prompted feelings of concern among fans and a home victory in the first leg is of utmost importance. Three draws and a defeat in the last four league games is not ideal preparation for Porto and they were beaten 1-0 at home by Olympiacos on Matchday 7. Roma won 1-0 at Venezia on the weekend and with Paulo Dybala knitting the attack together, the Serie A side can produce an upset at one of Europe’s most intimidating stadiums.
When you choose betFIRST, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at betFIRST, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information. When the fun stops, stop.
