EUROPA LEAGUE MD8 TIPS: TRICKY NIGHT FOR THE TRICKY TREES
It’s all to play for in the final round of Europa League matches.
Aston Villa are guaranteed a top-eight finish after last week’s impressive win in Turkey but things are less certain for Nottingham Forest and Celtic.
A win at home to Utrecht earns the Hoops a play-off spot, while Forest can still qualify automatically, though a play-off looks the most likely outcome for them too.
Meanwhile Rangers, eliminated last week, round off their European campaign in Porto.
We’ve explored the fixture list and have compiled our three best bets for Europa League Matchday 8…
Tip 1 – Celtic to win to-nil @ 23/20
The equation is simple for Celtic: win and they have a play-off spot.
It would be hard for them to ask for a better fixture. Utrecht are already eliminated and have just one point from their seven games.
Last week’s battling draw away at Bologna was important and, with 10 men for the majority of the game, it was very impressive even if letting a two-goal lead slip will grate a little.
The visitors to Parkhead haven’t been terrible defensively and, in fact, haven’t conceded more than two goals in any game with much-maligned former Hoops keeper Vasilis Barkas between the sticks.
In attack, though, it is a different story. They have scored just three goals and only one of them away from home.
Celtic are yet to win to-nil in the Europa League but this is the perfect time.
It won’t be a classic but it doesn’t need to be for the Hoops; just one goal should do it.
Utrecht have won just once away from home in the Eredivisie, too, so while it hasn’t been a vintage season for Martin O’Neill’s men all the signs point to them getting the job done here.
O’Neill has lost just one of his 13 games in charge this season and his experience will get them over the line. A Celtic win to-nil at 23/20 makes sense on its own or as part of a wider acca.
Tip 2 – Nottingham Forest to beat Ferencvaros & over 2.5 goals @ 6/5
It could have been so much more comfortable for Forest.
Last week’s defeat and performance against Braga was disappointing and Sean Dyche’s men need a response.
They are guaranteed a play-offs spot and can still progress automatically – but three points last week would have made that much more of a possibility than the fairly long shot it is now.
Domestically, though, they are three unbeaten and last week became just the second team to win at Brentford this season. That will give them confidence as Ferencvaros come to town.
The Tricky Trees haven’t been bad in Europe, just inconsistent. Two defeats have clouded impressive wins, including one over Porto, and you get the feeling progression could and should have been sorted prior to the last game.
Ferencvaros are far from the ideal opponents, too. They are one of only three unbeaten sides and have automatic qualification hopes of their own.
It should be a raucous atmosphere on the banks of the Trent and that could well carry Forest home, despite the absence of the suspended Elliot Anderson.
All three of their home games have seen them score at least twice, while four of their seven games have had over 2.5 goals.
Robbie Keane’s Ferencvaros, meanwhile, have scored in every game but have kept only one clean sheet.
The 6/5 for Forest to win and the game to have over 2.5 goals may not be enough for a top-eight spot but, at the very least, it should ensure a seeded play-off spot in what has been a turbulent season for the home side.
Tip 3 – Jadon Sancho to score vs RB Salzburg @ 9/2
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have sailed through the league phase and assured a top-eight spot with a game to spare.
The Villans are enjoying a memorable campaign. Knockout European football guaranteed, FA Cup progression and the small matter of firmly being in the Premier League title race.
This one should be a night to enjoy for the Villa Park faithful, though Salzburg do have play-off hopes themselves, albeit slim ones having won just one of their seven games.
It will be a tall order for the visitors to leave the West Midlands with anything, let alone the win they need, even if Emery may ring the changes.
Jadon Sancho has seen most of his game time come in the Europa League this season and shone last week at Fenerbahce – scoring the winner.
That was his first goal of the season and more of the same will send a reminder to the manager that the winger is more than capable of playing a role on all fronts for the remainder of the season.
We are looking at a very tasty 9/2 for the on-loan Manchester United man to score here.
Sancho may not get the game time he likes but his eye for a goal always remains, as he showed for Chelsea in last season’s Conference League final.
Fancy all our Europa League shouts to land? You can combine all three tips into a 25/1 Acca. Add it to your betslip by clicking here.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
