Europa League: Knockout First Leg Betting Tips
The knockout stages of the Europa League return on Thursday, with eight play-off ties kicking off across the evening.
Arguably the pick of the ties sees last season’s Champions League semi-finalists AC Milan host in-form Rennes, while Eredivisie champions Feyenoord host Daniele De Rossi’s Roma in one of four early kick-offs.
These two encounters are the focus of some of our tips for the week’s Europa League contests, with Sparta Prague’s trip to Galatasaray and Benfica’s battle with Toulouse also of interest.
Tip 1 - Galatasaray and Sparta Prague Both Teams to Score @ 3/4
Turkish champions Galatasaray dropped into the Europa League after defeat to Copenhagen on the final day of the Champions League group stages saw the Lions finish third in their group.
Despite being on a 12-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, including 10 wins, this may be a tricky test for Okan Buruk’s men, with Sparta Prague also in a rich vein of form winning each of their last eight competitive fixtures.
Managed by former Portsmouth defender Brian Priske, the Reds could offer a major challenge to the Turkish outfit, with a goalless draw against Rangers in October the last time that the Czech side failed to find the back of the net.
Galatasaray have also looked deadly in front of goal, scoring in each of their last 10 and bagging at least a brace in nine of these, and so a goal-fest may be on the cards in what looks to be a tight encounter.
Tip 2 - Feyenoord to win to nil against Roma @ 11/5
Another domestic champion fell at the first hurdle in the Champions League, with Eredivisie winners Feyenoord finishing behind Atlético Madrid and Lazio to drop into Europe’s second competition.
Home advantage could well be key in this fixture - a repeat of one of last season’s quarter-finals and the 2022 Europa Conference League final - with both sides winning their home leg in their last meeting.
Feyenoord collapsed in the second leg in Rome last time out in a 4-1 defeat, but this is a different beast to what they are used to facing with Roma now managed by former captain and club legend De Rossi, who has won three of his opening four games in charge.
However, they were beaten in their last outing at Serie A leaders Inter Milan, while the Dutch outfit have kept clean sheets in each of their last five games in all competitions, including against runaway league leaders PSV in the Dutch Cup. A low-scoring encounter could well be on the cards, with Arne Slot’s side the best bet to come out on top.
Tip 3 - Benfica to win and over 2.5 goals against Toulouse @ 23/25
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica side are incredibly fortunate to have any form of European football at this stage of the season with a 3-1 victory at RB Salzburg on the final day of the group stage securing Europa League progression based on away goals, the third of which being scored in the 92nd minute.
That victory was the first in a phenomenal run which saw the Eagles win 10 of their next 12, losing just once in the cup to Estoril.
This run also saw at least three goals scored in total in 10 of these fixtures, and a repeat in this metric could be expected when the Portuguese outfit host a Toulouse side in poor form.
The Violets have lost five of their last eight in all competitions, including to third tier Rouen in the Coupe de France, and are currently in the midst of a relegation battle in Ligue 1.
With their attention likely focused elsewhere, this could be a comprehensive victory for Benfica.
Tip 4 - AC Milan and Rennes to draw @ 3/1
Drawn in the “Group of Death” alongside Newcastle, PSG and Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan claimed a Europa League spot thanks to a late Samu Chukwueze winner against the Magpies in their final game.
The Rossoneri have won 10 of their last 12 in all competitions, but have not made the San Siro as much of a fortress as their city counterparts Inter, dropping points in six games at home in all competitions.
Another difficult test will be expected in this battle, with visitors Rennes in scintillating form going into this meeting.
Julien Stephan’s men have won each of their last eight games in all competitions, including impressive wins over second-placed Nice as well as French giants Marseille in the Coupe de France.
There could well be enough for both sides to cancel each other out in this encounter, with decent odds of 3/1 for a draw being provided.