The Europa League quarterfinals are set for April 13, and eight teams are left fighting for the hardware.
As Champions League has had the stage the past two days, Europe’s secondary club competition will have the lights on them on Thursday.
Of course, we all know about the unfortunate circumstance in Germany which took place before the Tuesday match between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco. I hope by now you have heard that the Dortmund team bus was hit, and three bombs were reported going off near the area. Such a scary scene, and The Telegraph.uk has the scoop. Click on the link to see the story. I don’t want to spend too much time on that, but, my god! The hate just drives me nuts, and I can’t stand it!
I will move on, because the more I think about it, the more pissed off it makes me.
I would like to personally send a shout-out to the Monaco fans who were in attendance. Derek Raye was at the match, and he reported that the Monaco fans were chanting “DORTMUND, DORTMUND, DORTMUND”, to show support.
As the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals kicks off, I guess a concern lies in France now. Lyon is hosting Besiktas, and we all know that France has certainly had their own issues with terror. I can’t believe I had to just use that word in any of my articles. Ugh! So, now we have to hope that we get all four of these matches in without incident. Please God! Look out for our players and fans who just love the beautiful game.
And, of course, I wish the Dortmund player, Marc Bartra, a full recovery, hoping also he is not affected mentally as well. That is the link to his Instagram page, where he posted his post-surgery picture. Be strong my friend! We all wish it never happened, and it shouldn’t have!
See, I got affected by it again! Hey, I am Italian, which means I am emotionally invested in anything I do.
I write about soccer/football and love what I do, but I think we all hate seeing exterior things affecting our love of the sport.
I guess I really better get to the matches, before it bothers me some more and I lose track of everything.
Eight clubs left, and if you read my article from the previous round, you know where I am at. I said that whomever came away from Roma/Lyon series the winner, would go on to take the Europa League title.
A little quote from that article reads, “I expect one of these two clubs to win this tournament. If Lyon somehow blows up my plan and upsets Roma, then they will win this trophy in my opinion.”
I had hoped it would be Roma obviously, but my loyalty to them as a fan might have clouded my judgment. Well let’s not go that far, because Roma were doing extremely well in this competition until then. Roma is still chasing Juventus in the race for the Italian Scudetto title. Six points separate the two at the top of the Serie A table, with seven fixtures remaining in the campaign.
Figured I would throw that out there, since I am, oh, just a little invested in Italian Football.
We need lines and prices on the matches to be able to move forward, so let’s get that done now.
Lyon vs Besiktas
3-Way 1×2 Lines:
Lyon -180
Besiktas +475
Draw +345
Handicap/Spread:
Lyon -1 -110
Besiktas +1 -110
Total 3:
Over -125
Under +105
Referee:
Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
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Ajax vs Schalke
Ajax +155
Schalke +185
Draw +235
Ajax 0/Pk -125
Schalke 0/Pk -+105
Total 2.5:
Over -105
Under -115
Referee:
Sergei Karasev (RUS)
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Celta Vigo vs Genk
Celta Vigo -180
Genk +525
Draw +320
Celta Vigo -1 -110
Genk +1 -110
Total 2.5:
Over -115
Under -105
Referee:
Clément Turpin (FRA)
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Anderlecht vs Manchester United
Anderlecht +345
Man. U -115
Draw +255
Anderlecht +0.5 -105
Man. U -0.5 -115
Total 2.5:
Over +105
Under -125
Referee:
Felix Brych (GER)
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We have some user-friendly lines sitting on the board, and that is what you are here for. It could be because you just love the beautiful game, or just like me. Maybe it’s all of it, so I appreciate whatever reason you have to come visit us here at Get More Sports.
With my expectation on Lyon already mentioned, I will start with the match at Stade de Lyon in Décines, France.
The run to the finals might just go through that venue, right up until the final match played in Sweden on May 24.
We already know there will be a new champion crowned, now that Sevilla will not have a chance to win a fourth straight competition.
Besiktas is the only club left in this dance who are champions of their respective domestic league. Besiktas took the Turkish Super Lig title last year, and they are in contention to do it again this campaign. As a result of the first place finish, Besiktas began their club competition in Champions League Group Stage.
After a third place finish in Group B behind Napoli and Benfica, Besiktas were sent down to the Europa League round of 32. The Turkish Super Lig sent three clubs to the Europa League round of 32. Only Besiktas were able to advance from their tie, of the three.
Lyon has a similar story to tell. They also appeared in Champions League Group Stage, and a third place finish in Group H is why they were sent down to Europa League.
As both clubs get closer to finishing their domestic campaigns, it looks like Benfica will likely be starting again in Champions League, as they did this year. Lyon is pretty much out of contention for a Champions League berth in Ligue 1, but their 54 points shows them with a 5-point advantage over Bordeaux, and in position for at least another run in Europa League. That is, of course, if they manage to close out Ligue 1 play, and not give up their fourth position in the table.
Neither Lyon,nor Besiktas appear in the top-25 of the UEFA club co-efficiency ratings. The highest ranked club left in this competition are Schalke, who fall in 14th place. We will get into their match against Manchester United here in a few.
Even though Lyon and Besiktas have yet to meet in European club competition, I do not think their unfamiliarity with each other will be a concern for us. I was considering offering the +1 on the Turkish side, but I certainly see three goals coming a lot easier.
Despite the marginal juice at -125 or so, the straight total at 3 still has my attention. I have not feared taking a Lyon total yet in this competition, and a Turkish/French matchup has me still thinking that way. I would rather pay the extra juice to cash this total, when Lyon gets all three goals, and Besiktas still finds an away goal.
Keep in mind, the ‘Both Teams to Score’ prop is highly priced at -185, or even higher at some books.
You are never going to guess why? Yeah, I see it too line setters, so the total goes on the board.
Suggested Play:
Lyon vs Besiktas
Total Goals Over 3 @ -125
As I did in the Monaco match with Dortmund, I again refer to the Besiktas To Score – Before the 63rd Minute @ -120.
Even though Besiktas is 0-for-3 in their three outings on French soil in their history, asking for an away goal should be obtainable.
I love prop bets, and I am always looking at all the offers we can find. As long we don’t have to spend more than $20-25 on anything, I am always cool with that action. Anyone who has followed me over the years knows that I still average around even money, per bet, per month etc. in all of my leagues I give tips for.
When these two meet for the second leg in Turkey, Besiktas also has their own home pitch advantage to mention. On April 20, when the two return to Turkey for the second leg, notably, Besiktas has two wins and a draw to show for three home results against French foes.
Lovely little tidbits to swallow.
Okay then, on to the next match in this week’s Europa League quarterfinals.
I guess since I just mentioned Schalke a moment ago, I will turn to their match with Ajax next.
You know, when you actually look in to the history of Ajax against German opposition, there are actually some surprising results. How about one of those, “Did you know?” sessions?
Ajax at home against German sides looks pretty damn nice on paper. Ajax hold a 12W – 1D – 1L in 14 home outings against Bundesliga competition. Who saw that coming?
No one out here really holds Eredivisie in the highest regard when it comes to major club competition.
The Netherlands fall in the 13th position of the UEFA country co-efficiency ratings, which is down for them. I’m sorry, but I at least like knowing that kind of little stuff, so I hope pointing it out for you is helpful.
Hey, it’s one less thing you need to look up, so I saved you some time, right?!
Now, let’s throw in that Schalke has never won on Dutch soil. In five contests played in the Netherlands, Schalke is winless with a draw and 4 losses.
That about covers the home pitch advantage these two expect to have in this tie.
Some interesting developments are happening with each of their domestic campaigns. Schalke may appear out of contention for Europe next year as you look at the Bundesliga table, but are they? Nine clubs are essentially fighting for those two Europa League bids that Bundesliga offers.
Remember a few years back, Italian clubs were accused of treating Europa League like a joke, so the Federation took away one of their bids, and said, “Okay, take that seriously!” That is hard for me to forget, being that I follow all of tiers of Italian football for as long as I have. I remember when 7, and even 8, clubs in Serie A were clinching appearances in cups and competitions all over the place.
Anyway, I see two lines to utilize in this match, and here they come!
Suggested Plays:
Ajax vs Schalke
Ajax 0/Pk DNB Handicap @ -125
Total Over 2.5 @ +/-100 (Even Money)
Do you use Pinnacle? Do you love a slice of salami as much as I do? Oh baby, you know what I mean by now, and it is sitting right there on their site.
The Total Goals for the Europa League Quarterfinals front legs on April 13 is set at 11.
Yowza kids! Thank you, Grazie, and we can use whatever other form of appreciation you’d like!
I’ll suggest that puppy in a heartbeat, to anyone who can utilize it.
Suggested Play:
Europa League Quarterfinals Total Goals Over 11 @ -111
I want to leave everyone with one last play, and I’m going to skip a suggestion for the Manchester United match with Anderlecht.
Genk is obviously still fighting for a Europa League berth next campaign in their domestic action. Celta Vigo is essentially running out their La Liga campaign in Spain, hoping to simply stay afloat in top flight. There is no threat of being relegated, but there is really no chance to catch anyone towards a bid for Europe either.
I see that Genk +1 Handicap sitting there nice, and fresh, at -110. That is more than fair when I expect Genk to come away with some type of result. There are some decent prices on some alternate plays, but to actually cash them we would still need more to happen.
At least now, if a Draw is the best result we get, then a cashed ticket will be all we hit!
Suggested Play:
Celta Vigo vs Genk
Genk +1 Handicap @ -110
I will admit I like goals there too, and it better contribute to our salami offer too!
Alrighty then everyone. Enjoy the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals. We will catch you here next week for the back legs of the competition.
To jump on all of the offers for the Europa League quarterfinals, jump over to DSI and get your action in.
In Bocca Al Lupo! Ciao!
