Europa League Preview

Benfica v Juventus, Thursday 22nd April 20:05, ITV 4

The two strongest teams left in the Europea League do battle in the semi-finals with the Italians the favourites to progress to the final.

Juventus are 1/2 (GENERAL) to see off Benfica and book their place in the showpiece game. The Serie A leaders are eight points clear in their domestic season and have all but wrapped up another title. Juventus know that their fans are desperate for European success especially with the final being in their own city of Turin.

The side from Portugal are 7/4 (SKYBET/BET VICTOR/paddy Power) to progress to the final at the expense of Juve. Benfica are no mugs and you have to go back to November 2013 for the last time that they actually lost a tie and that 7/4 is the better value of the two.

The first leg is in Benfica and it is 7/4 (bet365/paddy Power) that the Portuguese side record a eighth consecutive victory and having already seen off sides like PSG in the Champions League this season they will be confident of doing so at their own ground.

The Old Lady can take heart from the fact that Tottenham secured a draw here and that they have won their last three Europa League away games and the tie to finish all square is 23/10 (GENERAL) while a Juventus victory is a best priced 15/8 (boylesports).

The best bet in this game is to take NO in the both teams to score market as this would have paid in the last eight Juventus away games and the last seven Benfica games at any venue.

RECOMMENDATION: NO both teams to score, evens (boylesports/SPREADEX)

Sevilla v Valencia, Thursday 22nd April, 20:05, Setanta Ireland

An all Spanish battle takes place for a spot in the Europa League final with fifth placed Sevilla taking on eighth placed Valencia.

It is Sevilla who are the favourites to qualify with bookmakers making them 4/5 (GENERAL) to do so. This is likely on the basis of their higher domestic standing and a run of form that has seen them lose just three of their last 17 in all competitions.

Valencia though can take heart from no defeat against them in their two league meetings this season and a decent run of form themselves which has seen them lose just three of their last 12 and they can be backed at 5/4 (ladbrokes) to qualify.

At their own ground Sevilla are proving dangerous opponents with five straight home victories with Porto and Real Madrid among their victims. These five games have also produced a remarkable 18 goals for the home team and you can see why they are 17/20 (GENERAL) for the victory, especially with Valencia winless in their last five games on the road. If you fancy the visitors to get a point like they did when these sides met in the league then it is 11/4 (GENERAL) while Valencia are 15/4 (bet365) chances.

We talked before about how many goals Sevilla are scoring (18 in their last five at home) therefore it is a surprise to see them available at evens (STAN JAMES) to net over 1.5 goals. This looks a great price when you consider they have gone over this number in five of their last eight Europa League home games and they are up against a side who shipped three goals away to Basle in the last round of this competition.

RECOMMENDATION: Over 1.5 goals Sevilla, evens (STAN JAMES)

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24/04/2014     © Frixo 2026