The Final Hurdle
Thursday promises to offer another spectacular evening of continental clashes, so pack your passport and join me as we look at four of the very best.
- West Ham to beat Viborg
- Villarreal to beat Hadjuk Split
- Omonia Nicosia to qualify v Gent
- Linfield to beat Rigas FS
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Thursday European Acca
Dan picks out four selections from Thursday's European games
At 9.9/1 a £10 bet would return £109
Thursday European Football
August 25, 2022
6:00 pm GMT+1
Domestic Respite
The first of our four clashes takes us to Denmark and although West Ham have had the worst possible start to this season’s Premier League, they have at least found some respite within European competition.
Respite that came in the shape of a 2-0 win over Viborg last Thursday and although the Hammers may have one foot in the Europa Conference League group stage, they cannot afford to relax just yet.
Especially when you consider their indifferent trio of domestic offerings thus far and if there is one thing that David Moyes’ men cannot afford to be in midweek, it is complacent. Thankfully though, I do not see this being the case at the Viborg Stadium Center.
Which means with a professional performance being required in Scandinavia, I am backing West Ham to earn safe passage to the Europa Conference League proper and this means, it is odds for 4/5 for an away win.
Time To Split
Next up we take a trip to Croatia and with Villarreal currently possessing a two-goal advantage over Hadjuk Split, they will also look to complete their task in hand on Thursday. A task that manager Unai Emery will set to his players after an impressive first leg showing.
Because after winning 4-2 at El Madrigal last Thursday, the Yellow Submarine is certainly picking up pace and although this competition is far removed from last season’s Champions League exploits, this is a side and a coach that always welcomes European football.
Especially when you consider their pedigree in recent seasons. Not only did they reach the last four of the Champions League in 2022, but they also won the Europa League final against Manchester United the year before.
Whether they can go all the way in Europe’s third tier of club competition remains to be seen. Although they will be clear favourites to win their second leg encounter in Split and this why I am backing them to beat Hadjuk at odds of 8/13.
Get The Job Done
Time to move on to the Europa League qualifiers now and a trip to sunny Cyprus awaits. Not because of some late summer sun, but because Omonia Nicosia are playing host to Belgian outfit Gent.
Not only that but the Cypriot outfit earned a rather surprise 2-0 win in Gent last week and in doing so, they find themselves in the driving seat as far as this tie is concerned. However, the bookmakers have a hunch that the visitors will come out on top this Thursday.
Which in fairness to them could well be the case. However, it is not the outcome at the GSP Stadium that I am interested in. Instead, my only concern is who books themselves a place in the Europa League group stage.
A concern that may not trouble Omonia Nicosia all that much and because they have that two-goal advantage to fall back on, I have decided to add their qualification to my midweek accumulator – a selection that is currently priced at 1/4.
Third Competition Lucky
Finally, we are off to Northern Ireland, as Linfield play host to Rigas FS and for those who have an eagle eye, you may have spotted me backing against David Healy’s man last week. However, their performance in Latvia has changed my mindset.
A performance that saw last season’s NIFL Premiership champions earn a 2-2 draw in the Latvian capital and were it not for a pair of defensive lapses late on, a first leg stalemate would have been a success instead.
However, that late pair of blips are too late for Healy and his players to dwell on and with the tie very much alive, Linfield will look to put their home advantage to good use. While should they manage to do so, Europa Conference League group stage football will be the reward.
While when it comes to rewards, the bookmakers seem to be rather generous in my opinion and with a home win currently priced at 2/1, this is too good a price for me to turn down. Which also means it is the fourth and final selection on my Thursday accumulator.
While if you put all four combinations together, bet365 are prepared to offer you 9.9/1 in return.
Thursday European Acca
Dan picks out four selections from Thursday's European games
At 9.9/1 a £10 bet would return £109
Thursday European Football
August 25, 2022
6:00 pm GMT+1
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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