Home » Europa League Acca – Thursday 13th December
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Europa League Acca – Thursday 13th December
Thursday night sees the final round of Group Games taking place in the Europa League, with 24 places up for grabs in the Knockout Phase, which begins in the New Year, the top two teams from each of the twelve groups qualifying.
In some groups, one or both of the teams that will be contesting the tournament in the New Year are already known. In others, things are very much still up for grabs with three or even all four teams still in with a shot of making the next round.
Over the season so far, just like last year, I think I’ve done better on my Europa League accas than my Champions League ones, so I am hopeful that we are going to finish the Group Stages of the tournament with a positive result here.
Given that both Arsenal and Chelsea have qualified for the next phase, and the likelihood both will play weakened teams in this final game, I am going to look outside of the two Premier League representatives and focus more on the games with something on the line this week.
With that in mind, here are my tips for Thursday’s game, which kick off at the usual times of 5.55pm or 8pm UK Time.
After losing all five of their games in the tournament, Akhisrar Belediye are hoping to at least save face against Standard Liege, but after their superb win over Sevilla last time out, a win for the Belgian side here could put them through, depending on how the result in the Sevilla v Krasnodar game goes. As such, with nothing to lose, I think Liege will go out with a positive mindset and try to take it to a team who are clearly the weakest in the group and who have conceded on average around three goals per game so far. As such, I do expect a Liege win here, but whether that will be enough to put them through will depend on how things go in the other game.
Rapid Vienna v Rangers – Draw
The equations for Rangers are simple, win this game in Austria and regardless of how the other game in this group (Villarreal v Spartak Moscow) goes, then Rangers will be into the hat for the Round of 32. The Gers were strong winners at Ibrox when the two teams met but despite dominating possession and chances, found Rapid hard to break down. Vienna know that a point will likely be enough to put them through, but they won’t be able to rest too much on their laurels here either. I am expecting a good, end-to-end game, especially in the second half, but as much as I’d like to see Rangers do it, I think the most likely result is a draw.
Celtic v Red Bull Salzburg – Draw
A win or draw for Celtic will be enough for them to make the Knockout Phase and after a slow start to the season for Brendan Rodgers men, that would be an achievement of sorts. However, Red Bull Salzburg should not be underestimated. The Austrian side have swept all before them in this group so far so this will not be an easy game for the home side. However, Salzburg could rest some key men having already qualified and claimed top spot in the group, though I don’t think their main sponsors Red Bull will be too keen with Red Bull Leipzig Celtic’s main challengers. As such, I am expecting a hard game for Celtic here, but I do feel they are good enough to get the point that they need.
Olympiakos v AC Milan – Draw
AC Milan won the reverse fixture in dramatic fashion, scoring three goals in nine minutes to overcome Olympiakos at the San Siro, after the Greek side had taken the lead. It will need a monumental effort from the home side here to usurp Milan and take second spot, but with a passionate home crowd behind them, Olympiakos could be capable. However, I think this Milan side has improved on last season a great deal and in Suso, they have a real creative star who can turn a game with one moment of class. I am backing Milan to score at least one goal to cancel out the Greek’s and as such, I think that that will see their challenge falter, and likely the game will end in a score draw.
Author: Dean Wyatt
Dean Wyatt is the founder and editor here at Acca Nation. He’s been betting sports for over 20 years and is a profitable sports trader on the exchanges.
the Europa League, with 24 places up for grabs in the Knockout Phase, which begins in the New Year, the top two teams from each of the twelve groups qualifying.
