EUROPA LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG TIPS: BUENDIA THE KEY FOR VILLA?
Both Europa League semi-final ties are delicately poised heading into the second legs and the all-English clash at Villa Park could be one for the ages.
Two former European champions will battle it out for a spot in the final, with Nottingham Forest bringing a narrow 1-0 lead across the Midlands following a high-tempo, controversial first leg win over Aston Villa at the City Ground.
In Germany, Freiburg also have a one-goal deficit to turn around as they welcome Braga but, in truth, all four sides will feel they are well in with a shout of reaching the showdown in Istanbul.
We’ve analysed both ties and picked out our best bets for the occasion…
Tip 1 – Emiliano Buendia to score or assist & Morato to be carded in Aston Villa vs Nott’m Forest @ 21/2
This one could be a classic.
Chris Wood’s penalty was the difference between the sides in the first leg and, as we await the second instalment of an all-British semi-final, in truth it could go either way.
The two had contrasting Premier League weekends in preparation. A 2-1 home defeat to Spurs was not what Unai Emery will have wanted, while Monday’s fine 3-1 win at Chelsea was exactly what Vitor Pereira was looking for – a huge step towards survival.
They will fancy their chances of a European final but will be well aware of how dangerous the Villans can be.
Emiliano Buendia, on his day, can be a real threat and has nine goals this season in all competitions as well as four assists in the Europa League.
He scored Villa’s consolation against Spurs and had a goal involvement in each of Villa’s quarter-final matches against Bologna.
We’re adding him to the betslip to score or assist alongside a Morata card for Nottingham Forest at 21/2.
The Brazilian has two yellows in the Europa League so far and was also carded after just 10 minutes of the win at Chelsea.
With stakes high, a huge atmosphere is guaranteed at Villa Park and the occasion may well find one or two players receiving more than a talking to.
Tip 2 – BTTS & woodwork to be hit in Aston Villa vs Nott’m Forest @ 11/5
Forest lead but Villa Park will be rocking and is a tough place to go – no club in the Europa League has so much as drawn here so far.
Villa have won one, Forest have won one and there has been a draw in their three meetings this season so, when we say it could go either way, it really could.
The two Premier League matches saw both teams find the net while, in the league overall, three of both sides' last four games have seen both sides score.
Backing both teams to be on the scoresheet here seems like a smart play and combining it with the woodwork to be hit in the game gives you an 11/5 double.
Forest have had 241 goal attempts in their 15 Europa League games, while Villa in the Premier League have struck the post or the bar 13 times.
With both teams vying for goals, attempts are likely to fly in and it could well be likely that the frame of the goal is rattled at least once.
Tip 3 – Rodrigo Zalazar to score vs Freiburg @ 33/10
Braga take a slender 2-1 lead to Germany for their second leg against Freiburg.
An interesting tie is in store as both sides look to reach their first-ever Europa League final.
A last-minute winner by Mario Dorgeles gave the Portuguese side the advantage and, while Freiburg managed to keep top-scorer Rodrigo Zalazar quiet, they will have a job doing so again here.
The Uruguayan has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season and can help fire his side to the final.
Though he has just two goals in the Europa League proper, injuries and suspensions have caused him to miss a handful of games and he also managed four goals in qualifying.
Additionally, he has seven goals and three assists in his last seven Primeira Liga appearances.
Braga will be looking to the midfielder for inspiration in what is a tricky game – but one that they will feel they can navigate given their slight advantage from the first tie.
It’s 33/10 for Zalazar to score in 90 minutes, a bet that becomes 11/2 if you combine it with Braga to progress.
Fancy all our Europa League shouts to land? You can combine all three tips into a 160/1 Acca. Add it to your betslip by clicking here
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
