English teams have everything to do in Europe this week, with Liverpool and West Ham on the verge of being eliminated from the Europa League after damaging quarter-final first legs last week.
Aston Villa are better placed in the Europa Conference League after their 2-1 win over Lille, but the high-flying French side won’t make things easy in the second leg across the Channel.
It promises to be a thrilling evening of continental action and we’ve picked out three juicy bets to whet the appetite on Thursday.
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The bet of the day
Over 3.5 goals in Atalanta against Liverpool @ 20/21
Liverpool have had a week to forget, with their Premier League hopes dealt a blow after a 2-2 draw at Manchester United and a 1-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
Between those matches there was a 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta that left the Reds’ hopes of European glory in tatters and it will take something special from Jurgen Klopp’s men to turn things around , but even this mission is beyond them.
The main concern is Liverpool’s form which has slipped in recent weeks, particularly in attacking areas where they have lacked conversion opportunities.
And their desperation to put things right to try to save that tie could lead to an open case in Bergamo.
Atalanta offered Liverpool a glimmer of hope on Monday as they squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Verona in Serie A, and the Italians’ short turnaround could also help Klopp’s cause .
And goals have followed the Merseysiders on their trips to Europe this season, as five of Liverpool’s last seven away matches in all competitions have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals scored, while the Reds have scored 16 goals in their last six away outings. Anfield.
Return to a high-level affair in Bergamo on Thursday.
Special of the day
Bayer Leverkusen will win or draw, Granit Xhaka will receive a card and Viktor Boniface will score @ 17/2
Bayer Leverkusen clinched the Bundesliga title for the first time on Sunday and should have more to celebrate at the expense of West Ham on Thursday.
The German side are unbeaten in 43 matches this season, winning 38 times, and while some fatigue may be present after the victory celebrations, the newly crowned German should still be too strong for a Hammers side who have won one of their last six matches.
Leverkusen lead 2-0 from the first leg and they could finish the job this week by at least avoiding defeat in East London, although combining that with two other bets could be well rewarded.
Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has been booked eight times this season, and the combative Swiss star could fall foul of the referee as he looks to thwart West Ham’s attempts to restore parity in the draw.
And Viktor Boniface looks like a good shout to get on the scoresheet, just like he did in the first leg a week ago.
The Nigerian striker has scored 18 times this season, including seven in his last 10 outings, and could help knock out the Hammers as they go in search of much-needed goals.
Long photo of the day
Aston Villa win and over 3.5 goals at 8/1
Aston Villa beat Lille 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final and the Villans could finish the job in a high-scoring French affair.
Villa are back in form after a slight dip in March and will be in high spirits after their 2-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday.
Both teams have scored in Lille’s last six games, while seven of the French side’s last nine home matches have seen at least three goals, so they face a high-profile battle on Thursday.
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