Conference League Quarter-Final Second Leg Tips
The second legs of the Conference League quarter-finals all take place on Thursday and four teams have commanding leads to defend.
AZ Alkmaar entertain Shakhtar Donetsk in the early kick-off and the Dutch side have it all to do after a 3-0 defeat in the first leg.
Fiorentina and AEK Athens also have home advantage and three-goal deficits to recover against Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano respectively.
Strasbourg are, in theory, the most likely team to complete a turnaround as they trail Germany's Mainz 2-0 ahead of their meeting in France.
Tip 1 - AZ Alkmaar to win @ 10/11
Shakhtar were deserved winners in the first leg against AZ, but a 3-0 margin of victory perhaps flattered them.
Fighting back and overturning such a big deficit is probably beyond AZ, but the Eredivisie outfit can at least restore some pride and win the second leg.
AZ are on a nine-game unbeaten run at home and they've won their last seven at this venue across all competitions.
They're also unbeaten at the AFAS Stadion in Europe this season with seven wins in eight games including qualifiers, so they can at least claim one last European victory even if that isn't enough to progress to the last four.
Tip 2 - AEK Athens to win to nil @ 12/5
Like AZ, AEK Athens are a little unlucky to be three goals behind going into the second leg of this tie and they can win on the night on Thursday.
AEK haven't played since their defeat in Spain last week so should come into this game fresher than Rayo Vallecano, who lost 3-0 at Mallorca on Sunday.
Rayo won't take any risks and will defend in numbers even if they do fall a goal or two behind. The La Liga outfit downed Samsunspor 3-1 in the first leg in the previous round and then were happy to lose 1-0 in the return fixture, so they may settle for a repeat in Greece.
AEK have won four of their last six home games and have kept clean sheets in all of those victories, while Rayo have three defeats in their last four games and have failed to score in all of those losses.
Tip 3 - Mainz 05 to win @ 3/1
Mainz hold a 2-0 lead over Strasbourg so will feel they still have a bit of work to do in the second leg in France and as underdogs the visitors look worth the risk here.
Le Racing dominated possession in Germany but that didn't translate to more chances. Mainz created twice as many opportunities and had six shots on target to Strasbourg's two, and they look well equipped to hit their hosts on the counter on Thursday.
Strasbourg have to take a few risks and commit men forward and that should play into the Bundesliga side’s hands as they look to reach the last four.
Mainz have lost just one of their last five away from home and have won their last two. Die Nullfunfer looked a level above Strasbourg last week and they can back up that win with a victory in France on Thursday.
Tip 4 - Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace Both Teams To Score Yes @ 7/10
Crystal Palace dominated the first leg and are unlikely to face too many issues at the Artemio Franchi in the return fixture.
The Eagles overcame Newcastle 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday and they are facing a Fiorentina side who have had a quick turnaround.
La Viola beat Lazio 1-0 on Monday night and they didn't have the opportunity to rest players in that game as they are still involved in the relegation fight in Serie A, although a couple of players will be available after suspension and potentially injury on Thursday.
The best angle could be backing both teams to score as Fiorentina will be keen to restore some pride and will inevitably leave gaps for Palace to exploit.
The Tuscan club have scored in 12 of their last 14 home games, while there have been goals at both ends in seven of Palace's last eight away from home and they have scored in all of those fixtures.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
