As the Europa League once again steals most of Thursday’s headlines, we have a stacked schedule from across the continent.
With European heavyweights such as Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen looking to book their respective quarter-final tickets, we could be set for a nervy night of Europa League action.
With eight Europa League showdowns on the cards in midweek, we have found a couple of eye-catching betting markets that are worth taking note of.
20:00 Liverpool vs Sparta Prague
With it announced back in January that Jurgen Klopp will be ending his nine-year stay at Anfield, Liverpool are desperate to make more history this season. While the Premier League giants might have eventually fallen short in their bid to punch a top-four finish among England’s elite last season, Thursday’s hosts have come roaring back this time around.
At the heart of a Premier League title scrap this season and with the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, the one-time Borussia Dortmund boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits.
Making a major first-leg statement out in the Czech Republic last week as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp, Liverpool have suffered just a single loss from any of their previous 20 appearances across all competitions.
With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to December 14th, Klopp’s men find themselves tipped as a leading Europa League contender this season.
Sat firmly in the driving seat when they return to Anfield on Thursday night, Liverpool should be smelling the opportunity to book their quarter-final ticket with another flurry here.
While Sparta Prague might have extended on their Europa League adventure last month as they claimed a stunning 6-4 aggregate victory against Turkish icons Galatasaray, Brian Priske’s men are enduring a recent wobble.
Slumping to that 5-1 drumming when they welcomed Liverpool to the Letna Stadium for their first-leg showdown last week, the Maroons have failed to win any of their previous four appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
Coming under more scrutiny over the weekend as they suffered a 4-0 defeat away at Plzen while in domestic action, Sparta also hold a nightmare European record on the road.
Including a 2-1 loss away at Scottish outfit Rangers last season, Thursday’s guests have collected just a single victory from any of their previous nine Europa League contests outside of Prague.
Betting Tip: Liverpool win & Both teams to score @ 6/4 with Pribet
20:00 Bayer Leverkusen vs Qarabag
Only continuing to break a string of plaudits from across Europe this season, Bayer Leverkusen are in the midst of what has become a remarkable fairytale. Holding a stunning 10-point buffer at the top of the Bundesliga table and tipped as a landslide contender to get their hands on a maiden domestic crown in 2024, Xabi Alonso’s men also have their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge.
Remarkably not suffering a single defeat across any competition this season and with Alonso’s stock at a red-hot high, the German outfit have continued to receive a string of plaudits.
Mounting a dramatic first-leg comeback out in Azerbaijan last week as they eventually snatched a 2-2 stalemate, Leverkusen have gained a fearsome reputation for their clinical performances in the final third.
Looking to send a real message on Thursday night, 20-year-old sensation Florian Wirtz could have a leading role to play here.
Along with bagging a first-leg strike at the Azersun Arena last week, Leverkusen’s homegrown superstar has found the net in back-to-back appearances and remains heavily linked with a host of European heavyweights ahead of the summer transfer window.
Left heartbroken on home soil last week as they suffered a first-leg collapse in Baku, Qarabag will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge here.
Although the Horsemen might find themselves cruising towards an 11th domestic crown in 2024, Gurban Gurbanov’s men have shown some recent defensive inconsistencies.
While they might have eventually edged their way past Portuguese outfit Braga last month following a thrilling 6-5 aggregate victory, the Blues have collected just a pair of clean sheets from any of their previous 13 straight appearances across all competitions.
Despite enjoying what has been a hugely impressive Europa League adventure this season, Qarabag couldn’t have wished for a trickier test in midweek.
Betting Tip: Florian Wirtz to score anytime @ 16/5 with Luckster
Thursday’s Europa League Double
Liverpool vs Sparta Prague – Liverpool win & Both teams to score @ 6/4
Bayer Leverkusen vs Qarabag – Florian Wirtz to score anytime @ 16/5
Place a £10 bet on our Daily Double with Vegas Land and pocket £105.00 if all predictions are correct.
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