Europa League Preview 25th Apr

The Europa League reaches the semi-final stage this Thursday night and here is our guide to the best of the bets from the first legs.

Chelsea are the 6/4 (Totesport/betfred) favourites to see off Basel in the first leg. This is the first time ever the Swiss side have made a European semi-final while Chelsea in contrast have appeared in the last four of European competitions 11 times previously. The experience between the two is contrasting though that does not mean the English side will have this easy as Tottenham found out last time around. Basel are unbeaten in their last eight home games in Europé, winning six and drawing two. The Swiss side could prove difficult to break down and are 85/40 (Stan James) for victory while the same firm are also best priced on a draw at 5/2 (Stan James). The bet here could be on both teams to score at 10/11 (Coral) as this would have paid in five of the last six games that Basel have played in all competitions including both games against Tottenham. It also would have paid in each of the last three games Chelsea have played in this competition and in four of the last five. Those looking for a first scorer bet will see that the market is headed by Fernando Torres at 7/1 (Coral), Basel striker Alexander Frei (general) and Marco Streller (ladbrokes/Coral) are both also 7/1 chances. Those looking to back a team in the to qualify market can get Chelsea at 4/11 (boylesports/sportingbet/william hill) while Stan James are once again taking a stand against the Swiss side as they have Basel as big as 5/2 to make the final.

The other semi-final features Fenerbahce taking on Benfica with the Turkish side at home in the first leg. Bookmakers make the visitors the 6/4 (general) favourites to win the first leg which looks a little short despite them going well in the league in Portugal. Benfica are on a remarkable run of form that has seen them go undefeated since a Champions League loss to Spartak Moscow on October 23rd. Fenerbahce are no mugs though and have lost just two of their last 12 home games in all competitions. If you fancy the Turkish side for victory here then you can back them at 2/1 (general) while the draw is available at 12/5 (Skybet/BetVictor). The bet here could be in taking Moussa Sow in the anytime scorer markets where he can be backed at 2/1 (paddy Power). The Fenerbahce striker has scored seven goals in his last ten in all competitions and in three of the last five home games. Sow is 6/1 (general) to score the opener alongside Rodrigo Lima (general) while the market is headed by Oscar Cardozo at 5/1 (general). Those looking for a bet on which team will qualify will see that Benfica are the favourites to progress to the final and are 9/20 (sportingbet/You Win) to do so while Fenerbahce are 2/1 (bet365/betfred).

One final bet I like the look of is in the name the finalists market where Chelsea/Benfica looks the most likely order of the day. BetVictor have this on offer at 20/21 which looks the best value bet in the Europa League.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Europa League final to be between Chelsea and Benfica, 20/21 (BetVictor)
SILVER: Both teams to score between Basel and Chelsea, 10/11 (Coral)
BRONZE: Moussa Sow to score anytime v Benfica, 2/1 (paddy Power)

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25/04/2013     © Frixo 2024