talkSPORT tips - Best football bets and expert advice for Thursday 20 February
There is a huge night of European action on Thursday as the second legs of the Europa League and Conference League play-offs take place. Republic of Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers have a chance to make …
There is a huge night of European action on Thursday as the second legs of the Europa League and Conference League play-offs take place.
Republic of Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers have a chance to make history as they hold a 1-0 lead over Molde in their Conference League tie ahead of their clash at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.
In the Europa League, Turkish giants Galatasaray have a mountain to climb to avoid an early exit as they trail AZ Alkmaar 4-1 and the tie between Roma and Porto is finely poised at 1-1 ahead of their showdown in Rome.
With 16 games to consider, we have picked out three bets ahead of Thursday’s action.
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FCSB to win vs PAOK @ 13/8
FCSB have been one of Europe’s surprise packages this season and they are well placed to secure a Europa League last 16 berth after a 2-1 win over PAOK in Greece in the first leg of this tie.
The Romanian side did have to come from behind to win, but they thoroughly deserved their victory as they carved out 13 chances to PAOK’s five. The Greek side were reduced to 10 men just before the break and that clearly worked in FCSB’s favour, but they were still the better side even when PAOK had their full complement on the pitch.
FCSB have won their last three games and are facing a PAOK outfit who have lost three of their last five away fixtures. With home advantage, FCSB can finish this tie off with a win inside 90 minutes.
Galatasaray -1, Dries Mertens 2+ Shots on Target, corner handicap Galatasaray -4 @ 11/1
Galatasaray have it all to do if they’re to avoid being dumped out of the Europa League but with home advantage they have a chance.
Gala had a man sent off early in the second half in the Netherlands and AZ took advantage, but the Turkish heavyweights have been excellent in Istanbul and will feel they have a chance to overturn a three-goal deficit.
Galatasaray are unbeaten in 16 at home and have scored multiple goals in 14 of those games, while AZ are unlikely to take too many risks going forward even if they do fall a goal or two behind, meaning Gala may well cover a -1 handicap.
A -4 corner handicap is a big ask but they would have covered that in three of their four home league phase games.
Dries Mertens averages just under two attempts per-game in this season’s Europa League and across all competitions around a third of his shots are recorded as on target. Mertens could have a big role to play in any home fightback so he may at least be able to test the keeper twice.
Shamrock Rovers to win vs Molde @ 17/5
An early red card for Molde gave Shamrock a huge advantage in Norway last week and they now have a lead to defend.
The Irish side look backable as big price underdogs here, despite the fact the visitors clearly have a stronger team, as Shamrock have been exceptional at home and Molde have struggled away.
Rovers only lost three home games in the Irish Premier Division last season and they went through the league phase unbeaten at the Tallaght Stadium (W2, D1), while Molde managed just one point from three trips and are winless in their last four competitive away games.
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