Europa League Tips – 13th December 2018
It is the final act in the Group Stage of the 2018/19 Europa League and Thursday will see a comfortable time of things for both Chelsea and Arsenal. The two Premier League representatives have already won their groups so get an evening to rest players.
Rangers meanwhile have to win at Rapid Vienna in order to join the two English sides in the knockout stages of the competition. Celtic just have to go out on home turf and avoid defeat against Salzburg in their final group stage match to secure qualification.
Here are our Europa League tips and predictions for Thursday, December 13th, 2018. Kick off times vary.
Lazio v Eintracht Frankfurt – 5.55 pm
Lazio have already made it through to the next round as runners-up in Group H. They have been locked into second place behind Frankfurt who they meet on Thursday. In the first meeting in the group, Frankfurt dominated the game, winning 4-1. This is naturally going to be one of those occasions where neither side are likely to be at full strength, making the game a little tricky to call. Lazio have won their two home games in the group by a 2-1 scoreline.
We are simply going to go with the home win at 21/20 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on December 11th, 2018 at 6:21 pm) which could be the only thing that makes any kind of a difference.
Rennes v Astana 5.55 pm
It is all going down in this one as it is a scrap for second place in Group K. Dynamo Kiev have won the group leaving this battle behind them. Astana just have to avoid defeat out in France in this one to follow the Ukraine side through to the next round. So they are likely going to be playing a containing game. The only way that Rennes get through to the next round, therefore, is by taking a home win in this battle. Aston took a 2-0 win at home when they met on matchday two.
Rennes haven’t been terribly convincing and we are going to support Astana sticking in there and landing the point they need. The draw at 13/5 odds fits* (betting odds taken from bet365 on December 11th, 2018 at 6:21 pm).
Sevilla v Krasnodar – 5.55 pm
Top spot is still up for grabs in Group J of the Europa League and these are the top two. Krasnodar only need to get a point out of the game in order to end up winning the group. Even if they end up losing the game it is likely that they will still find their way through as they would need to lose at least 4-0 to end up not getting through. Sevilla’s qualification is on the line. A win guarantees them a place in the next round. They have to match on the night whatever Standard do against Akhisar to squeeze through basically. Home advantage should really help them get to the next round.
The draw suits both sides perfectly in this one really. It gets them both through the group stage and the draw in the match outright is worth a look at 4/1 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on December 11th, 2018 at 6:21 pm)
Olympiakos v AC Milan – 8.00 pm
Milan were always favourites to win this group but they haven’t got the job done yet. In fact they are in a fight for the top spot against Betis. Milan will qualify for the next round if they just manage to avoid defeat on Thursday night in Greece. If they win the game, they will need Betis not to win against Dudelange in order to top the group. Olympiakos are not out of the qualification picture and have no choice but to throw the kitchen sink at this game. They either have to win 2-0, 3-1 or by a margin of at least three goals to snatch second place from the Italians.
This is where that extra touch of quality should count. The 6/4 odds on the AC Milan away win is the best value option at 31/20* (betting odds taken from bet365 on December 11th, 2018 at 6:21 pm).
RB Leipzig v Rosenborg – 8.00 pm
Are Leipzig going to end up ruining their loss against Celtic on matchday four of Europa League action? The Germans are now struggling to get out of the group. They only have a thin chance at that. They have to win and hope that Celtic lose now on Thursday night to get through to the next round. Fortunately for them, they are at home on matchday six against Rosenborg who haven’t earned a single point in the group. So it is likely that the Germans will at least do their part and hope that Salzburg does them a favour against Celtic.
No question that Leipzig should be winning this and winning comfortably. It is not even a great stretch to get to Leipzig to win to nil at 4/5 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on December 11th, 2018 at 6:21 pm)
