Europa League Semi Final: 1st Leg Betting Tips
Tottenham are having a miserable time in the Premier League but have the status of Europa League favourites as they prepare to host Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
Ange Postecoglu’s side take on Bodo/Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday (20:00), with the return match scheduled for next Thursday at Aspmyra Stadion in northern Norway.
Spurs are 1/6 favourites to advance and 7/2 to miss out on a place in the final, but a more even contest is anticipated between Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United, who begin their final four tie at San Mames.
Bilbao have the extra incentive of knowing that the final will take place at their home stadium and are 9/10 to get there.
United are also 9/10 to reach the final and will be anxious to stay in contention before next Thursday’s second leg at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim’s side are 3/1 to win the first leg, 11/5 to draw and Evens to taste defeat.
Tip 1 – Athletic Bilbao & Manchester United to draw @ 23/10
Team news
Bilbao attacker Nico Williams overcame a minor groin strain to feature as a substitute in last Wednesday’s 1-0 victory at home to Las Palmas.
However, top scorer Oihan Sancet (hamstring) is expected to miss out.
United could be boosted by the availability of Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo (both ankle) who are close to full fitness. The visitors are without Lisandro Martinez (knee), Toby Collyer (leg), Diogo Dalot (calf) and Joshua Zirkzee (thigh).
Athletic Bilbao & Manchester United to draw @ 23/10
Manchester United continue to struggle in the Premier League, but they have saved some of their better performances for Europa League nights and can hold Athletic Bilbao to a draw at San Mames.
Ruben Amorim’s men needed an injury-time Rasmus Hojlund goal to snatch a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Sunday but were reasonably pleased to avoid a third straight league defeat.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in 12 Europa League matches and have already had a positive experience against La Liga opposition when winning 5-2 on aggregate against Sociedad in the round of 16.
Bilbao are 18 points higher than Sociedad and would hope to be much more competitive against Amorim’s outfit.
But they are approaching the tie with a couple of key injury concerns, with Williams nursing a groin complaint and top scorer Sancet reportedly ruled out with a hamstring strain.
The Basque side made heavy weather of winning 1-0 at home to lowly Las Palmas last Wednesday and they may have to settle for a stalemate against United.
Tip 2 – Tottenham win to nil @ 59/50
Team news
Tottenham are sweating on the fitness of Son Heung-Min (foot) and are without long-term absentee Radu Dragusin (knee).
Bodo/Glimt have doubts over centre-back Odin Bjortuft (groin) and right-back Ola Blomberg (unspecified injury) and are missing suspended trio Patrick Berg, Hakon Evjen and Andreas Helmersen.
Tottenham have put all of their eggs into the Europa League basket and can take a step towards the final by registering a victory and a clean sheet against Bodo/Glimt in north London.
The Lilywhites have taken just four points from their last eight Premier League matches and succumbed 5-1 to Liverpool on Sunday in a fixture which confirmed the Merseysiders as champions.
But Spurs excused several key players from Anfield duty, including central defenders Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and influential midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who will add much-needed stability and quality to the side.
Tottenham came through a tricky Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt - registering a well-deserved 2-1 aggregate victory - and they face a step down in class against Bodo/Glimt, who are contesting a major European semi-final for the first time in their history.
Bodo/Glimt have excelled in home games where they are accustomed to making the most of the artificial surface, but they are less convincing on their travels and head to Tottenham depleted by the absences of three suspended players, including captain Patrick Berg.
Kjetil Knutsen’s side will strive to adapt, but they face a daunting challenge and may struggle to keep the tie competitive.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation