Live on ESPN, Five & ITV4: Thu 18.00 & 20.05: In the Europa League QF’s, Braga are a solid 4/6 (Paddy Power) to qualify at Kiev’s expense.
After a 1-1 stalemate in Ukraine, Braga’s tie with Dynamo Kiev is about the only Europa League quarter final tie still in the balance. Taking a draw and an away goal back to the Braga Municipal Stadium, the Portuguese outfit will fancy their chances of securing a place in the last four and they’re favourites to qualify at 4/6 with Paddy Power, a price we’re happy to recommend in the circumstances.
Domingos Paciencia’s charges started the tie as underdogs but they’re in decent form at present and have already accounted for Arsenal and Liverpool at home in European competition this season, keeping clean sheets in both matches. They will be hard to break down then for a Kiev side shorn of the suspended Andriy Shevchenko and already in the box seat, Braga can hold on to book their place in the semi-final.
Goals are likely to be at a premium in the tie, as the hosts look to keep things tight and brave punters might fancy a small stake on a total of fewer than 1.5 at 2/1 with Stan James.
Tournament favourites Porto take a 5-1 lead to Spartak Moscow and so the battle for qualification in that tie is effectively over. It could therefore be an open encounter and accordingly, 888Sport’s 3/4 for both teams to score looks a banker but while the hosts should at least look to claw back some of the deficit, their home record isn’t convincing enough to warrant a wager on them to win at 2/1 ().
Despite solid away form in Europe, PSV Eindhoven were hammered 4-1 in Benfica, effectively ending their interest in the competition but the Dutch side can nevertheless register a second leg victory and restore some pride.
Benfica haven’t travelled particularly well in Europe this term, winning just once at Stuttgart and failing even to score in their three away matches in the Champions League while PSV tend to be solid on their own patch and have the quality to justify their 7/5 favouritism at Totesport.
Twente meanwhile, are also on their way out after a 5-1 reverse at Villareal and their home form isn’t strong enough to suggest they will manage a second-leg success against their Spanish opponents, who are a 6/4 chance in Stan James’ ‘Draw No Bet’ market.
Recommended Bets:
Braga to qualify – 4/6 (Paddy Power)
PSV to beat Benfica – 7/5 (Totesport)
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