No luck last week with our acca and it is fair to say I was a bit disappointed with how
it went, so I am perhaps going to wind things in a bit this, although I may not need to as I think this week’s selection of games are likely to be a little easier to predict.
There are a couple of reasons for that. Firstly, we have the evidence that we have seen in the first leg of games and we also know the result of those games will mean teams will have to adopt a certain type of mentality to try and get a positive result in the second leg. That tends to mean these games can be a bit easier to gauge (but not necessarily predict!).
I also feel what helps is that a number of the better ranked teams in this competition are at home in the second leg and I always feel when that happens, it is easier to predict as they ‘should’, and I use that word cautiously, pick up a positive result. Of course, it doesn’t always turn out that way, but the odds are more in their favour.
So with that in mind, I am going to put together a fourfold for the Europa League on Thursday night’s matches, which discounts the game on Wednesday evening when Rangers travel to Braga for their second leg with a narrow 3-2 lead after the first in Glasgow.
Here’s my tips for this week in the Europa League.
Bet Analysis: Thursday 27th February
Espanyol (0) v (4) Wolves – Draw
After a superb performance in the home leg and a hat-trick performance by Diego Jota, not to mention a stunning volleyed goal from Ruben Neves, Wolves are as good as qualified for the Round of 16. Espanyol have little to play for other than pride and in truth, bottom of La Liga, they haven’t even been able to do that for a great deal of the season. With that big lead from the first leg, Wolves just need to manage this game and there is no requirement for them to go gung ho here. As such, and given that they have drawn 13 games in the Premier League this season, I predict a rather dull game that will likely finish 1-1 or 0-0 and Wolves to progress with ease.
FC Porto (1) v (2) Bayer Leverkusen – Home Win
FC Porto’s recent form had been good heading into this game but so had Bayer Leverkusen’s and in the end home advantage proved key in the German side claiming a fine 2-1 win on the night. However, I wonder if that single goal win will be enough against an experienced Porto side who are much stronger at home. Porto’s away goal to me looks like being key and if they can keep Leverkusen out, I can see them winning this game and the tie inside 90 minutes. If Leverkusen score, I think extra time may be needed but I still see Porto having enough to win on the night. However, that may not mean they necessarily go through.
Celtic (1) v (1) FC Copenhagen – Home Win
The first leg of this tie leaves it delicately poised and Celtic have Fraser Forster to thank for not coming into this game with a deficit to claw back. The big keeper made a fine penalty save from Stage to deny Copenhagen the lead at the Parken Stadion and that could be the moment that swings this tie ultimately in Celtic’s favour. In truth, the Scottish side could have easily had three or even four goals in this game, but some wasteful finishing saw them score just the once. At home, in front of a packed Celtic Park, I would expect them to be more clinical and take the win they need to reach the next phase.
Red Bull Salzburg (1) v (4) Eintracht Frankfurt- Away Win
Following on from their semi-final performance last season, I put a little bet on Frankfurt to win the Europa League this season and after a rather uninspiring first half of the season, I felt that bet was over. However, now I am not so sure. As well as an upturn in form in the Bundesliga, they thrashed a Salzburg side still obviously missing the attacking threat of Haaland and Minamino, who both left the club in the transfer window. Having racked up a 4-1 win at home, I fancy the German side to do the double over Salzburg in the second leg in what should be a tricky game, but one that I am confident Frankfurt can come out on top in.
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.
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