Europa League Semi-Final: 2nd Leg Betting Tips
The possibility of an all-Premier League UEFA Europa League final remains high with Manchester United holding a 3-0 first-leg advantage over Athletic Bilbao, while Tottenham are 3-1 up after their first encounter with Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt last Thursday.
United last week dominated their Basque opponents who have seen their dreams of playing in the final at their home stadium of San Mames left in tatters.
The other semi-final between Spurs and Bod/Glimt was also fairly one-sided, but a late goal for the Norwegians means the Lilywhites will need to tread with caution on their trip to the Arctic Circle.
An intriguing night is in store and we have picked out three bets for Thursday's semi-final deciders.
Tip 1 – Manchester United to win & both teams score @ 49/20
Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao (Thursday 20:00)
Athletic Bilbao's dreams of playing in a home final are all but over following their 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United last week, but they started that contest on the front foot and a positive gameplan will be needed this week if they are to rescue anything from the tie.
Dani Vivian's 35th-minute red card last Thursday put Athletic Bilbao on the back foot, particularly as United skipper Bruno Fernandes tucked away the resulting penalty to give the Red Devils the initiative.
And the Premier League side made the most of it with a ruthless display which practically finished the tie in the opening 90 minutes.
Only a monumental collapse from Ruben Amorim's men will stop them from reaching the final, but they showed plenty of vulnerabilities in their quarter-final clash with Lyon to offer a glimmer of hope to Athletic this week.
United raced into a 2-0 lead in the second leg of their clash with the French outfit, but the Ligue 1 side battled back to make it 4-2 and force the tie into extra time.
A late three-goal rally from the Red Devils ended the French renaissance and United ran out 7-6 winners on aggregate, but the manner of that clash will give Athletic hope they can get at least a couple of goals back, and a home win in which both teams score looks a likely outcome.
Tip 2 – Bruno Fernandes anytime goalscorer @ 6/4
Manchester United vs Athletic Bilbao (Thursday 20:00)
Bruno Fernandes scored twice in Manchester United's 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League semi-final first leg last week, and the Portuguese playmaker looks a decent bet to get on the scoresheet in Thursday's decider at Old Trafford, too.
Fernandes is the joint-top goalscorer in this season's Europa League with seven goals and he often steps up on the big occasion when United need him most.
There might not be such a need for any more heroics this week given the Red Devils' healthy advantage, but opportunities should arise with United likely to play on the counter, and Fernandes is likely to take any penalties that come the way of the home side to aid the bet.
The Portuguese star has 21 goals in all competitions this term and he looks a solid choice to add to that tally on Thursday.
Tip 3 – Over 3.5 goals in Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham @ 6/4
Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham (Thursday 20:00)
Tottenham cruised to a 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final with the Norwegians but a late sucker punch means Spurs will need to be on their guard in the away leg on Thursday.
Bodo were beaten 7-1 in shots on target, but their late goal offers them a glimmer of hope that they can make life hard for Ange Postecoglou's side.
A trip to the Arctic Circle won't be easy and the reigning Eliteserien champions have won their last eight competitive home games, including shock wins against Besiktas, FC Twente, Olympiakos and, most notably, Lazio.
That shows they are a tough nut to crack on their open patch, particularly as it is an artificial surface with which Tottenham must quickly come to terms.
A failure to do so could mean a difficult night for the Premier League side who are in the last-chance saloon in this competition when it comes to getting anything out of their campaign.
Spurs should be too strong and a place in the final beckons, but this could be a lively encounter and backing at least four goals to be scored looks the best bet.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation