UEFA Europa League: Best three-fold picks to follow on Thursday

Today’s edition of our sports betting previews will see us pick matches from the Europa League, as we bring you the analysis of three games from the competition.

ROMA vs CFR CLUJ

La Lupa were expected to easily race to the top of the Group A table when fixtures were announced. However, after two match-days, they find themselves in the second spot with four points.

Still, a rearrangement is definitely possible, and even very soon. The reason being, they are pitted against the Railwaymen, who are the current toppers, and it needs to be noted that they too have the same number of points.

As such, a win this Thursday will elevate the Italians to the prime spot, and that too with a lead of three points.

Considering that the Romanian top flight is ranked just 28th in terms of UEFA coefficient, as opposed to the Italian Serie A being placed at the third spot – the difference in quality between the teams is staggering.

Moreover, with the game being played at the Stadio Olimpico, Paulo Fonseca’s men would be determined to take the top-most spot for themselves. Count on a Roma win this Thursday.

Fonseca’s men were held to a goalless draw by CSKA Sofia, the last match-day in the competition. In the meantime, the Railwaymen were held to a 1-1 draw by Young Boys.

As things stand, the Italians are outright favorites. They are from one of the absolute best leagues in Europe, whereas their Romanian counterparts are just mediocre on their best day.

Moreover, La Lupa are far more experienced in Europe. Case in point – their semi-final appearance in the CL two years back.

Moving on, they also have never failed to score against this opponent, and they have an impressive h2h record against other teams from Romania. Meanwhile, Petrescu’s men have a terrible h2h record against teams from the Serie A.

Finally, Fonseca’s men were unbeaten in 18 of their last 20 overall games, and in 13 of their preceding 14 appearances at home. Do also note that they had scored two or more goals in ten of their former twelve home fixtures.

Likely, expect Roma to secure a win at any cost this game week priced at 37/100 by Novibet.

BENFICA vs RANGERS

At this point, it’s a given that these two teams will be making it into the knockouts from Group D. The reason being – not only were they the best teams in the group even before the competition had commenced, but since then they have shown that quality as well.

As of now, either team has won both of their games in the tournament, and is placed in the top-two spots with six points each. Meanwhile, the other two teams are understandably still trying to post their first point on the board.

Considering the sheer form both teams have shown over the course of the past several months, it’s inferred that goals will come from both sides of the pitch this Thursday.

The Eagles had recorded a 3-0 win at home against Standard Liege the last match-day in the Europa. Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard’s men registered a 1-0 win at home against Lech.

Going on, the Teddy Bears are on a nine-match winning run, and a 17-game unbeaten run. Do also note that they had won 20 of their preceding 23 overall matches, and had scored two or more goals in 14 of their previous 17 fixtures.

In addition, they are also on a five-match winning run away from home, and had scored a total of 23 goals from the past eight such road trips.

On the other hand, their counterparts had won 12 of their former 15 overall games, and they had scored two or more goals in 13 of their last 16 fixtures. And at home, they had won ten of their preceding eleven appearances, and in the process had scored two or more goals in all these games as well.

As such, it goes without saying that either team is in fiery form. Moreover, the winner of this upcoming encounter surely will have a great shot at ending up group champions, and for the reason, we can expect a fierce and competitive clash between the two which should see BTTS priced at 5/7 by Bwin.

LEICESTER CITY vs BRAGA

Leicester City is on a four-game winning streak across all major contests in the schedule. Having won both their EL clashes this season in the group stage, the Foxes are leading the table as it stands.

Besides, they will return home after three consecutive trips in the schedule. They will host on the back of a 1-4 win on the road against Leeds last time out in Premier League.

The six-game winning streak in their overall schedule will probably back Braga in their trip to the King Power Stadium. They have also won both of their Europa League fixtures in the group stages.

But visiting from the Portuguese Primeira Liga will hold back the visitors in the encounter. They will visit on the back of a 1-0 win at home against Famalicao in the Primeira Liga.

Leicester City is on a winning streak in their schedule, including two consecutive wins in the Europa League fixtures. The host will enjoy the ground advantage in the game, and the 3-0 home win against Zorya in the last EL home match in the schedule.

Both teams are equally strong, which is why the BTTS will also come in handy to yield decent returns priced at 8/11 by Bet365.

All odds are correct as at the time of this publication. Please gamble responsibly

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