Europa League Quarter-Final: 1st Leg Betting Tips
Athletic Bilbao are 10/3 favourites to lift a European trophy for the first time in their history as we head into the Europa League quarter-final stage and they will hope to strengthen their chances in a first leg tie away to Rangers at 20:00 on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Bodo/Glimt get things underway against Lazio in the early kick-off at 17:45, while there is Premier League interest later on as Tottenham Hotspur host Eintracht Frankfurt and Manchester United visit Lyon in the two other 20:00 fixtures.
Tip 1 – Both teams to score: Bodo/Glimt vs Lazio @ 4/6
Bodo/Glimt vs Lazio
Team news
Norwegian hosts Bodo/Glimt have almost a full contingent available to them for the first leg, with young forward Daniel Bassi the only injury doubt.
Lazio have more to contend with after Nicolo Rovella’s red card against Viktoria Plzen ruled him out of this tie, with Matteo Guendouzi set to deputise as Rovella joins the injured trio of Patric, Arijon Ibrahimovic and Nuno Tavares on the sidelines.
Both teams to score @ 4/6
Bodo/Glimt have won their last three games by an aggregate scoreline of 12-0, but they face a big step up in quality against Lazio and a clean sheet is unlikely against the 6/5 favourites.
The Italian side are far from guaranteed victors in Bodo, though. They have only won three of their last 10 in all competitions and have conceded in eight of those ties, but they have only failed to score twice in this run, too, so goals are to be expected.
Both teams to score has landed in 10 of Bodo/Glimt’s 12 Europa League fixtures this season and the same could be backed on Thursday.
Tip 2 – James Maddison to score or assist @ 31/20
Tottenham vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Team news
Tottenham’s injury crisis has eased in recent times, but they remain without Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski and Kevin Danso, while Antonin Kinsky, Timo Werner, Fraser Forster and Sergio Reguilon are ineligible.
Eintracht Frankfurt are sweating on the fitness of Kevin Trapp, Ansgar Knauff, Can Uzun, Krisztian Lisztes and Junior Dina Ebimbe ahead of this trip to London, while Timothy Chandler and Elye Wahi are both ruled out.
James Maddison to score or assist @ 31/20
James Maddison laid on Brennan Johnson’s second goal against Southampton on Sunday and the Tottenham playmaker could be backed to make an impact against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
The 28-year-old now has 11 goals and eight assists across all competitions, despite the injury troubled midfielder starting only 27 times this term.
One of these goals came in Spurs’ last Europa League tie against AZ Alkmaar, leaving him with six goal contributions in his last 10 appearances, three of which he started on the bench for.
Tip 3 – Under 2.5 goals: Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao @ 22/25
Rangers vs Athletic Bilbao
Team news
John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande are both suspended for the hosts and they join the ineligible duo of Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Leon King on the sidelines for Rangers.
Aitor Parades was forced off for Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, but will be hoping to recover in time to feature, but Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Yuri Berchiche are ruled out.
Under 2.5 goals @ 22/25
Rangers have been involved in some high-scoring games of late, but that may not be the case when they welcome outright Europa League favourites Athletic Bilbao to Ibrox on Thursday.
The Spanish visitors have seen just one goal scored across their last three in all competitions and have only conceded twice in their last five assignments, with under 2.5 goals landing in four of their last five competitive away games.
Despite nine goals across two games against Celtic and Dundee, The Gers’ home games have been far less entertaining of late.
Four of their last five home matches have featured fewer than three goals, and that’s the bet for Thursday’s tie.
Tip 4 – Both teams to score: Lyon vs Manchester United @ 4/6
Lyon vs Manchester United
Team news
Wingers Ernest Nuamah and Malick Fofana are both out injured, with Rayan Cherki and Thiago Almada set to deputise for Lyon.
Kobbie Mainoo is nearing a return and, along with Matthijs de Ligt, could be fit to feature for Manchester United on Thursday. However, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven, and Jonny Evans are all sidelined.
Both teams to score @ 4/6
Lyon are very slight favourites for the first leg of their tie against United, but backing goals at both ends looks the better option at the Groupama Stadium.
Les Gones have been in fantastic form of late with eight wins from their last 10 games, but they have conceded in seven of these games and are unlikely to shut out a United side that have shown signs of improvement lately.
The Red Devils were unfortunate to blank against Nottingham Forest at the start of April and had their fair share of opportunities against Manchester City on Sunday.
Prior to those games they had scored in seven successive matches and they should return to the scoresheet on Thursday, although their hosts have notched 29 times in their last 10 games.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation