The 2016-17 Europa League continues this week with two massive ties to kick off the semi-finals. We take a look at both matchups and give our betting tips below.
Europa League Semi Finals Betting Tips
Ajax vs Lyon
Two of the dominant forces in this year’s Europa League will clash here as Dutch side Ajax go toe to toe with Lyon with the first match to be played Thursday morning at 2.45am AEST. Interestingly, Ajax have never lost to Lyon in a competitive football match, after winning their two meetings in the 2003 Champions League followed by two draws in the 2012 Champions League.
Ajax will also arguably have the form and the pedigree going into this match, as they have been the better side in their respective domestic competition throughout the year as well currently enjoying an 11-game unbeaten run in the Europa League. They’ve also proven an extremely tough team to score against throughout the Europa League, keeping clean sheets in 5 of their last 6 matches in the competition.
Lyon have opened at $1.60 favourites to win advance solely based on the strength of their respective domestic competition which I think is an oversight, back the underdogs in Ajax to progress here.
TIP: Ajax to advance - $2.25 at Sportsbet
Celta de Vigo vs Manchester United
The most popular team left in the competition is no question Manchester United, and all eyes will be on them as they travel to Spain to take on Celta Vigo in the first leg of their tie-on Friday morning. The Red Devils unbeaten streak has extended to 25 games in the domestic competition after a 0-0 draw with Manchester City on the weekend.
On the contrary, Celta Vigo have been quite lacklustre in the La Liga so far this season, currently sitting 11th with a 13-5-16 record. There’s a lot on the line for Manchester United here, who are fighting for a Champions League berth in two different competitions so it’s unclear where their priorities will lie at the moment.
These two teams are set to meet for the first time ever in European competition, so with no history to go by we have to look at form and it’s hard to look past the Red Devils current streak.
TIP: Manchester United to advance - $1.30 at Ladbrokes
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