Anderlecht vs Utd promises goals
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We run through Thursday’s quarter-finals
The Europa League quarter-finals ignite punters’ interests on Thursday as big-time football continues to come thick and fast this week. Manchester United’s trip to Anderlecht, shown live on BT Sport, headlines the schedule for British fans, but there’s plenty to keep Coral customers busy across the board.
Click here to bet now on all of Thursday’s football from across the world. Still undecided? Read on as we run through each of the four games, offering our best bets.
Stats suggest a high-scoring match
United’s Premier League progress has been hampered for much of the season by points dropped through draws. Domestically, they are on an excellent unbeaten run, but six of their last 10 at that level have finished all-square – four of those ending 1-1 – and Jose would certainly view another scoring draw as a good result.
The Red Devils have had no trouble finding the net of late though, scoring four goals this month already. The head-to-head stats between these sides suggest we will be in for an entertaining night, with both teams scoring in each of the last three meetings. Interestingly, the aggregate score in that period reads Anderlecht 6 – 7 Man Utd. That makes a play on both teams to score again at 10/11 with us look a treat. Backers of the away win can get the same price on United.
Celta to continue Spanish form
The form of Spanish sides in Europe has been phenomenal in recent years, with the La Liga reps commanding respect in the Europa League. The nation now looks to Celta Vigo to continue that tradition and Coral traders have them nailed on to get a first-leg lead over Racing Genk.
The Sky Blues sit midtable in their domestic division at present, with a recent record showing a real lack of consistency, two wins, two draws and four defeats from eight, but they have had plenty more to shout about in this competition, losing just one of their group matches. Playing this one safe and backing the home win makes sense, and Coral’s 4/7 can be used to boost up your multiples. Celta Vigo to qualify is currently 1/3.
Ajax to avoid a Schalke
Game of the night goes at the Amsterdam Arena, where Dutch cracks Ajax host Bundesliga outfit Schalke. This looks a pick’em contest on paper, but the betting comes down in support of a home win, with Ajax priced as 31/20 jollies before a ball has been kicked. This will be the first meeting in history between these sides, and they’ll be eager to mark it with a memorable match.
Schalke sit midtable in the Bundesliga, but have lost just two of their last 10, the others divided equally between four wins and four draws. Ajax lie second in the Dutch top-flight and have much more to be proud of. On an impressive unbeaten run, they have won eight and drawn two of 10. Each of Peter Bosz’s last three starts has seen both score in an Ajax win, 2-1, 4-1 and 5-1. Keeping that close and backing the same again will net you 19/5 in the to win and both teams to score market.
Lyon to beat Besiktas with plenty to spare
Lyon handled themselves with credit in the Champions League, finishing third in a tough group to drop into the Europa League. Matched with Juventus, Sevilla and Dinamo Zagreb, the latter were out of their depth, but Lyon were edged out by the other two. Back-to-back defeats to Sevilla and Juve early in the competition put an end to their chances almost before they had begun.
In the French Ligue 1 they sit fourth in the table, with no chance of getting near the medal places, but showing form worth keeping close. On their own patch they are given the nod, and can be added to your midweek accumulators at 8/13. More attack-minded punters can get 8/5 -1 on the handicap.
