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Mixed martial arts Europa League and Conference League Best Bets: Thursday August 18th
Europa League and Conference League Best Bets: Thursday August 18th
Focus switches to European action this Thursday. With two bets from the Europa League and one from the Europa Conference League. Fixtures from Armenia, England and Hungary take centre stage.
In this article:
- Ferencvaros vs Shamrock Rovers Preview & Best Bet
- Pyunik Yerevan vs Sheriff Tiraspol Preview & Best Bet
- West Ham vs Viborg Preview & Best Bet
Ferencvaros vs Shamrock Rovers Preview
UEFA, Europa League, Thursday, August 18th, 17:30 (UK)
Ferencvaros made it to the group stages of the Champions League last season. It was not to be this year following a 4-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Qarabag. Something of a shock for the Hungarians who had taken a 1-1 scoreline away from Azerbaijan. The Green Eagles needed a response and got it with a 4-0 win back in domestic action last weekend.
It’s 10 years since Shamrock Rovers last made it to the group stages of European competition. Their 5-2 aggregate success over Shkupi of North Macedonia means the pressure is off here. As whoever loses this two-legged contest will drop into the Europa Conference League. Rovers are also four points clear at the top of the Irish Premier Division with a game in hand. As a result, Stephen Bradley’s side will enter the Groupama Arena full of confidence.
Ferencvaros vs Shamrock Rovers Best Bet
I expect a competitive contest. Stanislav Cherchesov will be keen to avoid his side registering a third successive home defeat in Europe. The Hoops will get their opportunities to attack and I am backing their corners line. FK Karabakh took eight flag kicks in both legs of the last round against Ferencvaros. While Slovan Bratislava took five when they visited Hungary in the round prior. Shamrock hit four in both games against the Macedonians. That followed on from them taking five corners on their trip to Ludogorets in the round before.
- Selection: 4+ Shamrock Rovers Corners
- Best Odds: 1.91 (SkyBet)
- Stakes: 7/10
More Ferencvaros vs Shamrock Rovers Tips
Pyunik Yerevan vs Sheriff Tiraspol Preview
UEFA, Europa League, Thursday, August 18th, 18:00 (UK)
Armenian champions Pyunik Yerevan were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League last week. The tie was all but dead after Crvena Zvezda’s 5-0 first-leg win in Belgrade. As a result of the 7-0 aggregate scoreline, Yegishe Melikyan’s side dropped into the Europa League play-off round to play Sheriff Tiraspol.
Sheriff Tiraspol produced one of the great Champions League shocks in the last campaign. In their debut appearance in the competition, the Moldovan champions incredibly beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Four points taken from Shakhtar Donetsk meant 3rd place in the group was claimed and with it a place in the Europa League.
There will be no repeat of last season’s heroics from The Wasps however following a pair of 2-1 defeats to Viktoria Plzeň. A knockout which sees them arrive in Yerevan to do battle for a place in the Europa League group stages.
Pyunik Yerevan vs Sheriff Tiraspol Best Bet
One of the features of Sheriff’s European adventure last season was the frequent high corner counts. Their 16 fixtures across the two tournaments produced a total of 178 corners with an average of 11.1.
Pyunik hit 15 flag kicks across their two legs with Crvena Zvezda with both matches producing 11 in total. That total is the exact average from their six European fixtures so far this campaign. I’m backing Over corners here with the line set at a very attractive 9.5.
- Selection: Over 9.5 Corners
- Best Odds: 1.90 (bet365)
- Stakes: 7/10
More Pyunik Yerevan vs Sheriff Tiraspol Tips
West Ham vs Viborg Preview
UEFA, Europa Conference League, Thursday, August 18th, 19:45 (UK)
On paper, West Ham’s league campaign couldn’t have started any worse. Two games played, two defeats and no goals scored. An opening day defeat to an imperious Manchester City always looked likely. However, the 1-0 reverse at newly promoted Nottingham Forest left David Moyes frustrated. Two efforts were cleared off the line, a VAR ruled out goal, two more efforts hit the bar, and a penalty miss were all evident.
Viborg have made a mixed start to their Danish Superliga. Winning all three home games, losing both away. The Greens travel to the London Stadium as a result defeating Lithuania’s FK Suduva and B36 Torshavn of Faroe Islands.
With a relatively thin squad at his disposal, Moyes will be looking for a convincing first-leg win. Easing the pressure and adding more flexibility to the return in Denmark.
West Ham vs Viborg Best Bet
The Hammers boss has already mentioned the need to freshen up his “stale” squad. This game would appear the ideal opportunity to hand starts to new signings Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet.
With Declan Rice suspended I expect to see a start for Manuel Lanzini. The Argentinian is off the back of his most active season since 2016. Now seemingly fully recovered from his serious knee injury he looks close to his peak. Lanzini made 10 appearances in Europe last season starting nine games. He also scored seven goals in all competitions including three penalties.
In the absence of both the retired Mark Noble and suspended Rice he is expected to be on spot-kick duty here. As a result, the odds of 3.70 for the 29-year-old is the play here.
- Selection: Manuel Lanzini to score at any time
- Best Odds: 3.60 (bet365)
- Stakes: 6/10
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