UEFA Europa League Matchday 8 Tips: Rangers can make home advantage count
The Europa League league phase reaches a conclusion on Thursday evening and there is plenty left to play for, with Lazio the only team who are mathematically guaranteed a place in the last 16.
Premier League pair Manchester United and Tottenham sit fourth and sixth respectively, so as it stands they will avoid the play-off round, while Rangers are guaranteed a play-off and could potentially break into the top eight with a win if results elsewhere go their way.
Tip 1 – FCSB vs Manchester United – FCSB or Draw @ 5/4
Romania’s FCSB have arguably been the surprise package of the Europa League this season and they look tempting as 4/1 underdogs at home to Manchester United. The Bucharest outfit has lost just once in the league phase and are unbeaten at home with seven points from a possible nine.
The hosts need a win to ensure they finish in the top eight and avoid a play-off, but the more prudent play could be simply backing FCSB to avoid defeat.
FCSB have just one defeat in their last 12 at home, while United have just one win in their last five away across all competitions and have drawn two of their three European trips, so backing the hosts to win or draw appeals.
Tip 2 – Tottenham vs Elfsborg – Both Teams To Score -Yes @ 10/11
Tottenham are the huge favourites ahead of the visit of Sweden’s Elfsborg, but the visitors have plenty to play for and can make their mark in North London.
Elfsborg are well placed to claim a play-off spot but only a win would keep their fate in their own hands.
Spurs haven’t drawn a blank at home since September, but they’ve also conceded in 11 of their last 12 games at this venue across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Elfsborg have scored in 14 of their last 16 competitive trips and hit three goals in defeat at Galatasaray and two at AZ Alkmaar earlier in the league phase.
Tip 3 – Rangers vs Union SG – Rangers win @ 57/50
A play-off probably beckons for both Rangers and Union SG but a win for either would give them a chance of a top-eight finish, and Gers can make the most of home advantage.
The Glasgow giants are unbeaten at Ibrox since a 4-1 humbling by Lyon earlier in the league phase (W9, D2) and they nearly claimed a point at Old Trafford in the last batch of European games.
The Belgians arrive in fantastic form, but they have been a little vulnerable away and have failed to win four of their last eight trips.
A draw is no use to either side, so both should push until the final whistle, and Rangers look the more likely to snatch the win.
Tip 4 – Nice vs Bodo/Glimt – Glimt win @ 33/20
Nice have already been eliminated with just two points from seven games, while Norway’s Bodo/Glimt know a win would almost certainly result in an automatic last-16 spot.
Nice are chasing a top-three finish in Ligue 1 and their priority will probably be the tricky trip to Toulouse at the weekend, so we should probably expect a rotated line-up.
The visitors have a target to reach and they should give their all in the south of France.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation