Five Europa League play-offs tips featuring the Hammers and Fenerbahce
Published:
Robbie Purves | August 24, 2016
The final stage of Europa League group stage qualification is about to get underway and, as clubs head into their second legs, Coral writers have picked out their five Europa League play-offs tips.
Fenerbahce, Panathinaikos and West Ham United will all be in action on Thursday, as teams hope to make it to the group stage of the competition that is a pathway to the Champions League.
Hammers to hit heights
West Ham are coming off the back of a league debut at their brand new stadium, the scene of a 1-0 win over Watford.
The Hammers are undefeated at their new home and bring a crucial away goal into the final leg. Their opponents Astra Giurgiu, were beaten 5-1 at the weekend and sit 11th in the Romanian league.
Expect the east London side to make home advantage count and blow past the Romanians in an entertaining 3-0 victory.
Fenerbahce to swat Grasshoppers
Grasshopper currently sit in the bottom half of the Swiss league and have only managed one win in four attempts this term. Meanwhile, Turkish capital club Fenerbahce come into the clash with a 3-0 advantage over the Swiss side.
By adding solid defenders Martin Skrtel and Gregory van der Wiel in the summer, while keeping Dutch marksman Robin van Persie – expect the Istanbul outfit to win to nil at 27/10.
Anderlecht oust Slavia
Anderlecht sit second in the Belgian top-flight, are undefeated so far this term and bring a huge 3-0 advantage back to Brussels.
Meanwhile, Slavia Prague have struggled on the road and are without a win in their last four away games. Rene Weiler’s Belgian outfit are big favourites to emerge victorious from the tie and are 17/10 to win and over 2.5 goals.
Shakhtar to blast Basaksehir
Shakhtar Donetsk sit top of the Ukrainian top division and bring two crucial away goals back to the Donbass Arena. Meanwhile, Istanbul Basaksehir are currently seventh in the Turkish league and lost two centre forwards during the summer, diminishing their offensive prowess.
Shakhtar are 13/2 to emulate their first leg result and triumph 2-1.
Greeks gallop go for victory
Panathinaikos bring a 3-0 advantage to Sweden as they prepare to face Brondby. Expect the Greeks to do the business in Scandinavia and record a victory that sees them into the group stage of the Europa League.
The Greens had the second best road record in Greece last term, and are 12/5 to win against Brondby.
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