RB Salzburg v Club Brugge
Thursday 21st February 1755hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick RB Salzburg
Bookmaker Sportingbet
Odds: 4/7 (odds taken 21.40 GMT, Wednesday 20th February)
RB Salzburg were big favourites to progress from this tie when the draw was made but a first leg win for Club Brugge has certainly brought the two closer together as they prepare to meet again on Thursday.
Europa League Betting at Sportingbet
RB Salzburg Preview
The Austrian Champions reached the semi-final of the Europa League 12 months ago but would have been hoping to be competing in the Champions League this time around. Those hopes were diminished at the playoff stage of qualifying once again but they have certainly taken out their frustration on their European opponents since then. Salzburg dominated their group which contained Celtic, RB Leipzig and Rosenborg – taking maximum points from their six matches. It was the sort of form that had them in many people’s eyes as being a potential winner of the competition but they have work to do in order to negotiate their way past their Belgian opposition. Last Thursday’s 2-1 reverse was their first defeat of any kind in Europe since the 2-0 defeat to last year’s runners up Marseille in the first leg of their semi-final which indicates just how consistent they are at this level. It will not quite be panic stations, however, as Sazlburg have an excellent home record in the Europa League with their last defeat coming back in 2016 – they’ve won 10 of their 12 matches since then.
Key-Facts – RB Salzburg v Club Brugge
- Club Brugge travel to Austria with a 2-1 lead from the first leg
- RB Salzburg are unbeaten at home in their last 12 Europa League home games, winning 10 of them
- The visitors have not won any of their last five away matches in this competition
Club Brugge Preview
Club Brugge were one of the eight teams to drop into the Europa League having been competing in the Champions League for the first half of the season. Ivan Leko’s men finished third in a group that consisted Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Monaco and whilst they took advantage of the Monte Carlo club’s struggles, it’s still a good achievement and they are showing no signs of wanting their European adventure for the season to end. The current Belgian Champions showed great resilience to come back from a goal down to secure what they hope will be an important lead to take into the second leg on Thursday. It will still be a big ask for them considering the home record of their opponents but Leko’s men can take a lot of belief from the victory. It’s been an inconsistent period of the season for them, however, and with an eight-point deficit to make up in their domestic league they are entering a crucial month of the season with some massive matches ahead – starting with this.
RB Salzburg v Club Brugge Betting Preview
Salzburg were faultless during the group stage of this competition and were going along very nicely when taking an early lead in the first leg of this tie, but they are experienced enough in the Europa League to know that there are plenty of dangerous teams within it. Club Brugge only have to look their hosts recent record to know they are going to be up against it on Thursday but they have something to hold on to now and did manage a draw and a win in their two away games in this year’s Champions League.
The away goal Salzburg got in Belgium last week could well be pivotal in determining who progresses from this tie but in terms of the result on Thursday then it is difficult to look beyond how strong the Austrians are at home. It’s five consecutive wins in the Europa League at home and I’m taking them to extend that run by one tomorrow.
