Our Europa League cheeky treble is priced at a nifty 9/1!
Olympiakos v Dynamo Kiev - 17:55
Our early kick-off sees Olympiakos welcome Dynamo Kiev to the Karaiskakis Stadium, where I’m backing the Greek side to claim a first-leg victory.
Olympiakos have been very strong at home this season – winning four of their five Europa League matches at the Karaiskakis (including qualifiers; drawing the other 0-0 with Real Betis with ten men), the highlight being a 3-1 victory over AC Milan.
Dynamo are certainly no mugs – losing just one Europa League group game on their way to this stage – but I believe the hostile Greek atmosphere (at a place where Barcelona could only muster a goalless draw last season) will push Olympiakos to victory.
Sporting v Villarreal - 20:00
Villarreal are an absolute mess; 19th in La Liga, four points from safety, and this Europa League tie with Sporting is the last thing they need right now.
The Portuguese side – who have won nine of their 11 home games in Liga NOS – will fancy their chances in this first-leg, particularly considering Villarreal have lost four of their last eight on the road in La Liga, drawing the rest.
Villarreal drew all three of their group matches away from home, and while they’re fairly tough to beat, Sporting - priced at a generous 13/10 – are still good enough to claim victory.
Club Brugge v Salzburg - 20:00
RB Salzburg are definitely contenders for this competition. Six wins from six in their group stage campaign – including a wonderful double over RB Leipzig – sees them head into their tie with Club Brugge in excellent shape.
While the Belgian outfit drew with Monaco and Atletico Madrid at home in their Champions League campaign, they have just one win in their last four Jupiler League matches, and this is the worst time to lose form considering how strong Salzburg are.
It’s going to be a close one, but considering Salzburg’s dominance in the group stages, I’m backing them to register an away win on Thursday.
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