Europa League: Knockout Phase Playoffs 2nd Leg Tips
Some of European football's biggest names could be saying goodbye to the continental competition this week, with several big hitters needing to turn around their fortunes following some lively first legs of the Europa League knockout phase play-offs.
Roma and Porto are delicately poised at 1-1 following their opening fixture in Portugal, but there is plenty of work to do for Turkish giants Galatasaray, who find themselves 4-1 down to AZ Alkmaar after last Thursday's disappointing trip to the Netherlands.
Anderlecht also have a three-goal deficit to overcome after they lost 3-0 away to Fenerbahce, while FC Twente can't take anything for granted as they head to Bodo/Glimt with just a slender 2-1 lead to defend.
Tip 1: Roma vs Porto - Roma to win to nil @ 31/20
This Europa League play-off is finely balanced at 1-1 but the Italian side are fancied to finish the job at the expense of their out-of-sorts visitors.
A trip to Rome is never easy but Porto arrive on the back of just two wins from their last 10 matches, while Roma look in much better shape and a triumph to nil looks the likely outcome for the home side.
Claudio Ranieri's team have won seven of their last eight home matches and they have kept a clean sheet in four of their last seven at the Stadio Olimpico.
Porto haven't scored more than one goal in any of their last three games and Roma could well shut them out if they can get their noses in front.
Tip 2: Galatasaray vs AZ Alkmaar - over 3.5 goals @ 23/20
AZ Alkmaar head to Istanbul with a 4-1 advantage to defend against Turkish league leaders Galatasaray and that could lead to an open affair on the banks of the Bosphorus.
Goals often flow at the best of times when Gala is in action, and five of their last six matches have seen the back of the net hit on at least three occasions. However, such is the home side's desperation to turn around the tie, it may pay off to back at least four to be scored on Thursday.
Gala will have to go for it from the off and that could lead to chances for AZ to counter-attack and although it is unlikely the visitors will be too cavalier, they have scored at least two goals in each of their last five outings, so the cutting edge is clearly sharp.
Tip 3: Anderlecht vs Fenerbahce - over 3.5 goals @ 13/8
Belgium could be the place to go for goals, too, when Anderlecht look to retrieve their tie following a 3-0 loss to Fenerbahce last week.
Anderlecht are unbeaten on home soil in the Europa League this term and have scored at least two goals in 12 of their last 14 fixtures in front of their home fans.
Jose Mourinho will look to lock out the Belgians, but the host’s desperation to get back in the tie could open up opportunities on the break and a lively clash looks likely.
Tip 4: Bodo/Glimt vs FC Twente - over 3.5 goals @ 29/20
Bodo/Glimt were edged out 2-1 by FC Twente last week, but they are a tough nut to crack on home soil, and they could get themselves back in this tie in what should be a lively decider.
Both teams have scored in seven of Bodo's last eight home fixtures, while Twente have scored at least two goals in five of their last six matches.
This tie could swing either way, and a high-scoring affair may play out as both teams push to qualify.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation