The Europa League first leg qualifying round will kick off today and here is a look at some smart tips for your consideration.
Away Win
Maribor will be hoping to feature in a continental competition once again this coming season having been in the Champion League last season. They will be facing Partizani for their first leg of their Europa League qualification. There is no previous history for this fixture and as such, this will be the first time that the teams will be facing each other. Maribor have been doing very well lately having not lost from any of their last five fixtures. Partizani do not have a very impressive record while playing in Europe and they have not won in any of their last five matches in this regard. There is great value in backing an Away Win here at odds of 1.55 and you can place your bet by clicking on this link.
Double Chance
Finland’s KuPS will host FC Copenhagen, and once again the two will be meeting for the very first time. Copenhagen are expected to progress over the two legs but this still has the potential to be a difficult game for them. The Danish side have not won any of their last five Europa League away games, managing just two goals in that period. The hosts have an advantage in that their league runs through the summer and that should give them some edge. This promises to be a tight affair and to be safe backing a Double Chance for a home win or Draw looks good at odds of 2.25 here.
Under 3.5 Goals
Steven Gerrard will lead Rangers into his first game in charge with the hopes of upsetting their Macedonian opponents Shkupi when they host them today. The Scottish side did struggle last season, and their home matches saw very little in terms of attacking football. As a matter of fact, they failed to score more than twice in 15 of their 19 home games all of last season, and we expect a slow start in their return to action here. Whilst they are likely to come out on top in this one, we should expect very little in terms of goals and there should be value in backing Under 3.5 Goals at odds of 2.15 here.
Under 2.5 Goals
Derry City will be out to end their recent poor form in Europe with a first leg win over Dinamo Minsk. The hosts have not particularly done well as they have lost their last four European ties by an aggregate of 16-3, a pretty poor defensive record for them. However, they can take hope in the fact that their opponents have seen Under 2.5 in four of their last five away games this season. With the hosts eager to keep things tight at the back there is every likelihood of Under 2.5 Goals and you can back that at odds of 1.65 here.
Both Teams to Score No
Shamrock Rovers will host AIK on the back of a pretty poor run of form. Their worst result came against Celtic when they lost 7-0 in a friendly and things will not be looking good for them as they take on a team destined to win the Greece title. AIK have kept clean sheets in four of their last six trips in Europe, and we expect them to follow that up against Shamrock Rovers. Therefore backing Both Teams to Score No looks good at odds of 1.55.