Europa League Preview 3rd Apr

AZ ALKMAAR v BENFICA, Thursday 3rd April, 20:05, ESPN

The leaders in Portugal take on a mid-table Dutch side in this quarter-final and Benfica are 2/9 (sportingbet) to qualify for the next round and 3/4 (GENERAL) to win the away leg. Benfica impressed when seeing off Tottenham in the last round and looked good in the group stages of the Champions League and will be fancied to come through here with ease.

AZ though are no mugs at home in Europe with no defeat in their last 12 games and they can be backed at 17/4 (bet365) for first leg success while the draw is a 14/5 (GENERAL) chance. If think the Dutch side can progress to the next round then you can get 9/2 (bet365). The best bet in this game is that the tie has under 2.5 goals as this has been the result in all six games the Dutch side have played at home in the Europa League this season.

RECOMMENDATION: Under 2.5 goals in the first leg, 22/23 (888 SPORT/unibet)

BASEL v VALENCIA, Thursday 3rd April, 20:05, BT SPORT 1

The Swiss side did the business for us in the last round against Red Bull Salzburg and are 2/1 (GENERAL) to see off Valencia while the Spanish side are 45/100 (YOU WIN) favourites to qualify for the last four of the Europa League.

In terms of the first game bookmakers Valencia the 5/4 (GENERAL) favourites as they have won all five away games on the road this season in the Europa League, keeping clean sheets in four of these matches. Basel though are no mugs with eight victories from their last 14 home games in Europe and just two defeats. I think they are much too big at 11/8 (SKYBET/paddy Power) in the draw no bet market.

RECOMMENDATION: Basel draw no bet v Valencia, 11/8 (SKYBET/paddy Power)

LYON v JUVENTUS, Thursday 3rd April, 20:05, ITV 4

With the final taking place in Turin then Juventus have a big incentive to win the trophy. The Italian side though must first get passed Lyon who are no easy opponents.

Lyon are 19/4 (bet365/888 SPORT/unibet) outsiders for the first leg although the French side have lost just three of their last 23 matches at home. Juventus are too short at 8/11 (GENERAL) while the draw looks an option at odds of 3/1 (TOTESPORT/betfred). Carlos Tevez has scored five goals in his last six games for Juventus and can be backed at 2/1 (betfair SPORTSBOOK) to net at anytime here. This might be worth taking as both side have scored in six of the last eight Lyon home games. If you wish to take both teams to score then you can do so at 21/20 (BETVICTOR/CORAL)

RECOMMENDATION: Carlos Tevez to score at anytime v Lyon, 2/1 (betfair)

PORTO v SEVILLA, Thursday 3rd April, 20:05, SETANTA IRELAND

Porto have not had the greatest domestic season (by their standards) in the league though they are still in two Portuguese Cups and are 4/6 (ladbrokes) to qualify for the next round of the Europa League with Sevilla a 6/4 (BETVICTOR/CORAL) chance.

In terms of the first leg it is Porto who are the 20/21 (BETVICTOR) favourites as they have won 12 of their last 14 home matches. Sevilla though are no mugs and sit in sixth in the Spanish league with eight victories from their last ten games and can be backed at 7/2 (bet365/TOTESPORT/betfred) while the draw is a 11/4 (CORAL) chance.

The best bet is Ricardo Quaresma to net at anytime as the Porto player has found the net four times in his last seven games in all competitions.

RECOMMENDATION: Ricardo Quaresma to net anytime v Lyon, 10/3 (BET365)

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03/04/2014     © Frixo 2024