Football Betting Previews - Author

Benfica v Fenerbahce Betting Preview
Something has to give between the unbeaten home record of Benfica, and the unbeaten away record of Fenerbahce in this second leg. The Turkish side grabbed a 1-0 home win in the first leg and so they have something to protect after a big effort in keeping the powerful Portuguese off the scoresheet. The last time that they visited Benfica though, the Yellow Canaries were thumped 7-0.

Benfica v Fenerbahce Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Benfica 4/9, Draw 15/4, Fenerbahce 6/1

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Benfica v Fenerbahce Recommended Bet:
The Portuguese side are unbeaten over their last 13 Europa League matches. A pretty impressive record that they will need to keep up. Of those thirteen matches, they have won twelve of them. Benfica’s record against Turkish clubs at home stands at a positive W3 D0 L1 record, while overall it is W3 D2 L3. How big was their defeat in Turkey in the first leg? That was their first defeat in 38 matches in all competitions this season. They are a remarkably talented side going forward, but they were frustrated out of their rhythm in the first leg and never got into top gear at all. They are unbeaten in 19 competitive fixtures at home (W17 D2) since they lost to Barcelona in Lisbon in the Champions League group stage.

They are on a five match winning streak at home in Europe, and since thumping Fenerbahce 7-0 back in 1975, Benfica have hosted Turkish opposition twice, winning one and losing one. Their big dangerman is Oscar Cardozo who has netted six goals in six starts in Europe this season. Can they break down the tough Fenerbahce defence? The Turks have not lost in six away matches in this season’s Europa League (W4 D2) and if they manage to avoid defeat on Thursday night, then they will be in their first ever European final. They will also set a record for the longest unbeaten away streak in the tournament. They take a narrow 1-0 lead to Portugal with them, knowing that a draw is enough, but it is a very narrow margin.

It could have been bigger, they missed a penalty and hit the woodwork three times in the first leg, besides bagging their goal. Fenerbahce’s record in Portugal is W1 D0 L2 and overall stands at W4 D0 L3. In their seven European matches in 2013, Fenerbahce are unbeaten, winning four and drawing three. They have averaged exactly one goal per game in those seven matches and they lack of goalscoring may hurt them in the second leg. Aykut Kocaman’s side have actually produced five clean sheets in their last seven Europa League matches, so you can see how good their defence is.

Is the Turkish defence strong enough to stand up to the pace and power of Benfica for ninety minutes? They may crack and the Portuguese really hold all the aces to play an attacking game for ninety minutes. The Turks may have had their day in the first leg and a Benfica 2-0 Correct Score could be value at 5/1 with online bookmaker Ladbrokes.

Form
Benfica WWDWLW, Fenerbahce WDWLWW

Stat Attack
Benfica have won nine of their last ten home matches
The Turkish side have five clean sheets in their last seven Europa League matches
Benfica are unbeaten in 13 home games in 3 Europa League campaigns
Turkish sides in general have won three and lost none of their last four in Portugal

Barcelona v Bayern Munich Betting Preview
The Blaugrana are favourites to win the second leg back in Spain f this Champions League semi final, but can they do it by a big enough margin to progress? That is a totally different story as they have to find a way to overturn a 4-0 deficit. They haven’t lost a home match in Europe for the last four years and have good form against German sides. They have to perform after getting overwhelmed by the pace and power of Bayern Munich in the first leg. Barcelona don’t look to be in the greatest stretch of form in Europe, and may have handed their supremacy over to the Germans. But they have rescued what was looking like a dire situation of a first leg away defeat in the Champions League this season. But even for the mighty Barcelona, is overcoming a four goal deficit too much to handle?

Barcelona v Bayern Munich Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Barcelona 17/20, Bayern Munich 11/4, Draw 11/4

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Barcelona v Bayern Munich Recommended Bet:
Make no mistake about it, Barcelona aren’t in the greatest European form of their lives. Somehow they have to dig deeper than ever to produce a miracle. They have only won one of their last seven competitive matches against Bayern Munich, and on top of that, they have actually only managed one win in their last six Champions League matches this season. Lionel Messi looked well short of fitness in the first leg and wasn’t able to influence the game at all, and that left Barcelona wanting. They couldn’t cope as a unit with the flair and clinical power that Bayern Munich have in their ranks, and the Barcelona defence looked very shaky against pace.

However, Barcelona do hold a four year unbeaten home record in Europe, and they scored a 4-0 win over AC Milan in the round of sixteen. That saw them overcome a 2-0 deficit from the away defeat in Italy, but this is a whole different kettle of fish, with Bayern being so strong. Barcelona are looking for their third Wembley final, but it isn’t looking all that promising for them. The 4-0 loss in the first leg, was their heaviest ever UEFA competition away result. The last time they met was in the quarter finals of the 2008/09 Champions League season, and it was Barcelona who romped to a 4-0 win at home in the first leg, before drawing in Germany. The shoe looks to be on the other foot here.

However, some promise for Barcelona is that they have won their ten home matches in a row against German visitors, and overall hold an impressive W19 D1 L6 record at home. Their last three home matches against Bundesliga sides have all been won by a four goal margin or greater, so that will tempt some punters to having a bet on Barcelona getting through. The last time they hosted a German side, Lionel Messi got on the scoresheet five times in a 7-1 thumping of Bayer Leverkusen. With them holding an unbeaten run of 21 Champions League matches at the Nou Camp, everyone knows that they have it in them to produce something special. Without a fully fit Lionel Messi though, it may be far too big of an ask this time around. Form just isn’t with them, as in Champions League knockout matches, Barcelona have won just one of their last seven.

Bayern Munich hold just a W5 D5 L10 record in Spain and when they won at Villarreal in last season’s group stage, they recorded their first win in the country since 2001. This is only the second semi final meeting in Europe between Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and on that previous occasion, the 1995/96 UEFA Cup, Bayern won 4-3 on aggregate. Bayern, last season’s losing finalists, are looking for their third Champions League final in four seasons and are claiming dominance to be the best side in Europe. They are the top scorers in the competition and Barcelona have to try and find a way to contain them so as not to concede an away goal. But Bayern are just looking hot at the moment, winning their last three Champions League matches to nil. Bayern’s record against Spanish opponents in two legged UEFA ties stands at W8 L6. A four goal lead is massive and that should be plenty of breathing space, no matter how well Barcelona turn up and play on the night.

Barcelona simply need to stamp their authority on the match right from the off and get quick goals. Would back a Barcelona win on the night at odds of 17/20 with online bookmaker Ladbrokes, given how immense they are at home. But not to quality.

Stat Attack
No team has ever overturned a 4-0 deficit after the first leg of a Champions League knockout game
Barcelona have only won one of their seven matches against Bayern Munich
Barcelona have only won one of their last six Champions League games
Bayern Munich have won their last three Champions League matches to nil

 

Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund Betting Preview
Talk about having a mountain to climb. The second leg of the Champions League semi final is all set up and Jose Mourinho’s men have to find something special. The Spanish outfit were thumped 4-1 in Dortmund in the first leg, but their glimmer of hope will all rest in that precious away goal which they grabbed. But for the second time in this season’s Champions League Madrid were shot down by the former Bundesliga Champions. Is it too much of a mountain to climb for Merengues?

Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Real Madrid 4/7, Draw 3/1, Borussia Dortmund 3/1

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Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund Recommended Bet:
Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 50th Champions League goal last Wednesday, and how important could it turn out to be. It was totally overshadowed by the four goals that Robert Lewandowski scored for Dortmund on the night, leaving Madrid with a massive task on their hand. Worryingly for Real Madrid, they were very nearly beaten at the Bernabeu in the group stage by Dortmund, only a late strike by Mesut Ozil rescuing a draw for the Merengues. Madrid have to go out and win by a three goal margin, more if they concede on the night, and their defence perhaps hasn’t been quite reliable enough to suggest that Dortmund won’t find the back of the net. Real Madrid need a huge improvement to what they have produced in the other three meetings against Dortmund this season. Under Jose Mourinho, Madrid have won 14 of 17 European home matches, nine of those wins came by a big enough margin which would keep them in the competition this time around.

Real Madrid have to match the record for the biggest first leg victory overturned in the Champions League. In the 2003/04 competition, AC Milan lost 4-1 at home against Deportivo La Coruna and then the Spaniards hit back to win the second leg 4-0. So there is just one precedence set for this situation. Real Madrid’s home record against German sides is W18 D4 L2, so it is pretty strong. They beat Bayern Munich on home soil in the semi finals last season, before losing in a penalty shootout. In two-legged ties against German sides in UEFA competition, Madrid’s record stands at aW11 L7. They have overturned a first leg away deficit 22 times before but they have lost out on 14 other occasions, including the last three times when they have been beaten away in the first leg. Madrid have won two and drawn one of their last three home games against Dortmund in the Champions League.

The last time Dortmund were in the semi finals, they lost out to Real Madrid back in 1998, so some big revenge could be on the cards here. They have a massive lead to defend thanks to some pretty much unstoppable play in the first leg. The Germans may well have the beating of the Spaniards this season, and they are unbeaten on the road in this season’s Champions League, the only remain side to have not lost. Their overall record in Spain stands at W1 D4 L5, so they haven’t had a great time of things in Spain. Their record in two legged ties with Spanish clubs though is W4 L2. This is just their third Champions League semi final appearance but they are holding all the aces after that first leg. Lewandowski’s four goal haul now means that he has continued in 52% of all their goals in the competition this season. They should be able to take a lot of confidence from two wins and two draws from their last four matches against Real Madrid. Only once before in 14 UEFA ties have they lost the tie after winning the first leg at home. The sole occasion it did happen, they squandered a three goal lead.

Jurgen Klopp’s men look as if they have what it takes to hang on to this one, and a draw isn’t out of the question at odds of 3/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes.

Stat Attack
Real Madrid have conceded seven goals in their last two Champions League matches
Four of Dortmund’s away games in the ECL this term have ended in draw
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of his last six Champions League appearances
Madrid’s European shootout record is W1 L2, Dortmund’s shootout record is W2 L0

 

Aston Villa v Sunderland Betting Preview
Well the revival of the Black Cats under the guidance of Paolo Di Canio seems to be going well as after racking up back to back wins. They have just about clawed their way away from the drop zone, but they will be dragged back level on points with Villa if they lose this one. A win for Paul Lambert’s men would do their survival hopes the power of good and could just about see them safe. This is where they need to convert in what is a high pressured match. They head into the weekend three points clear of 18th placed Wigan, but having played a game more. The worse scenario for the weekend is the Latics beat Spurs and they lose against Sunderland. That would drop Villa back into the relegation zone.

Aston Villa v Sunderland Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Aston Villa 6/5, Draw 12/5, Sunderland 11/5

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Aston Villa v Sunderland Recommended Bet:
A big match for Paul Lambert and his troops on home soil. They aren’t out of the woods yet, even though their survival will be based on what Wigan do beneath them. The Villains are still being a bit patchy in their form and were blown away last Monday evening at Old Trafford by a Robin van Persie hat trick. However, Villa’s play wasn’t bad at all and they could have taken enough confidence away from their spirited display to rally together and get precious points on the board. Lambert has done a good job in getting the young and inexperienced Villa side to what seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel. They have lost just two of their last six matches in the Premier League now and haven’t given up the fight at all. Picking points up at home is going to be crucial for them and at Villa Park this season they have posted just a W4 D5 L8 record. That is only a 23% success rate.

Villa have conceded in each of their last nine home matches, and in total are on a run of 23 matches without a clean sheet. Not good. They have won one, drawn one and lost in their last three home games, their last effort a 1-1 draw against Fulham. So there are no certainties in this one, simply because of their defence which can let things slip easily. However, this could really be a big market for their survival this season. Pulling level on points with the Black Cats would give them some breathing space, even though they have a far worse goal difference to Sunderland. The Black Cats are singing the praises of Di Canio after winning back to back games against Newcastle and then Everton. They were very timely wins indeed for the Wearside club to put a bit of dalyight between themselves and the drop zone.

They lost at home to Villa 1-0 earlier in the season and the Black Cats didn’t muster up a single shot on target in that match. There have only been 14 goals scored in 11 previous Premier League meetings between the two sides. The Black Cats have lost just one of their last five Premier League visits to Villa park, winning two and drawing two. Holding their nerve here would go a long way and given their new found confidence, Sunderland could be good for a draw. There have been five red cards in the last eight league meetings between the two, and because of what’s at stake here, would expect a nervous, tense game with no quarter given. Sunderland aren’t bankable with a lot of confidence having won just one of their last five away games and having just a W4 D4 L9 record on the road, scoring at a rate of just over a goal per game.

Aston Villa has been the lowest scoring first half ground in the Premier League this season. Would expect it to be tight again. Villa are probably a better team than Sunderland and would just edge them on home soil to nick it in a Draw/Aston Villa Half Time/Full Time bet for a price of 9/2 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes.

Form
Aston Villa WWLWDL, Sunderland LDLLWW

Stat Attack
Villa are without a clean sheet in their last 23 matches
There have been five red cards in the last eight EPL matches between the two
Villa have lost 8 of the 10 home matches they have fallen behind in this season
Sudnerland have lost just one of the last five EPL visits to Villa Park

Arsenal v Man United Betting Preview
Manchester United will be able to relax a bit for this one and enjoy themselves. Will that make them vulnerable or even more dangerous? So while United will be rolling into north London as the newly crowned Premier League champions, with of course, former Gunner Robin van Persie in tow and nothing to play for, there is a lot at stake for Arsenal. The Gunners are embroiled in a three way battle with Chelsea and Tottenham for the two remaining Champions League spots. They have strung together some great form of late, will it be good enough to shoot down the champions and overturn some poor form against their bitter rivals?

Arsenal v Man United Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Arsenal 5/4, Man United 2/1, Draw 5/2

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Arsenal v Man United Recommended Bet:
If ever Arsene Wenger needed to get one over on Sir Alex Ferguson it is now. Arsenal head into the weekend sat in third place, a point ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of Tottenham. The trouble for Arsenal is that they have played a game more than everyone else, so they have to get producing and hope the others slip up. It has been some good for Arsenal without the bother of cup distractions, losing just one of their last twelve in the top flight. The Gunners have won nine of those twelve matches. In the last six alone, they have rattled off five wins and a draw, the dropped points coming in their last home match as Everton turned up and got all physical on them. So the Gunners have rediscovered their flow, even if it came far too late in the season to be a title contender, it gives positives ahead of next season.

At home this season Arsenal have recorded a W10 D4 L3 record and have scored heavily at a rate of 2.47 goals per game. Defensively they have conceded at a rate of one and quarter goals per game. There are twelve clubs in the top flight with better home defensive records than Arsenal this season and with just four clean sheets in their last 16 home matches in the league, you can pretty much expect goals. The Gunners went down 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season, having far more possession in the game, but unable to create that many chances. Having Jack Wilshere sent off didn’t help either. Arsenal have only won four points from their previous seven games against the other tip sides in the top five this season. Putting that into context, the other four top five clubs have recorded at least ten. So that is where they are lagging behind.

The way this game is going to go, is all dependant on which Manchester United show up. They will have Robin van Persie prowling around, who scored a hattrick against Villa last Monday to win the league title. Manchester United have won six and lost one of the last seven Premier League matches with Arsenal, so all momentum is with them. Wayne Rooney has ten Premier League goals against the Gunners and Van Persie got one in the season’s earlier meeting. At the Emirates, Van Persie has scored 17 goals in his last 17 appearances, so prolific would be the word to describe that. United are on a ten match unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League at the moment, and have posted a very impressive W12 D3 L2 record on the road. That’s a 70% success rate.

Many puntesr may be deciding to swing with Arsenal on this one, simply because of the fact  that they have home advantage and they have something to play for. They are favourites and just rolling with a bit of positive value in backing them at 5/4 with online bookmaker Paddy Power  looks a good option.

Form
Arsenal WWWDW, Man United WLLWDW

Stat Attack
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last ten away games in the Premier League
Arsenal have kept just four clean sheets in their last 16 EPL home games
Robin van Persie has scored 17 goals in his last 17 matches at the Emirates
Arsenal have scored the most goals of all EPL teams in the last 15 minutes this season

 

Wigan v Tottenham Betting Preview
The Latics really have to start sweating now after losing their last two in the Premier League and having fallen three points behind Aston Villa. They still have a game in hand over Aston Villa, but that doesn’t guarantee points as well. So the Latics really need to get a win on the board here but it is a tough looking match. While Wigan are trying to avoid relegation, Tottenham have their own agenda. They need points to try and outmuscle London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal into third place and take an automatic Champions League spot. That is the big goal for Andre Villas-Boas’s men and they could just be in enough form to get three valuable points here and sink Wigan into further trouble.

Wigan v Tottenham Betting Odds at online bookmaker Sportingbet
Spurs Evens, Draw 12/5, Wigan 13/5

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Wigan v Tottenham Recommended Bet:
Three points would be massive for the Latics in this one, unfortunately their form against Spurs isn’t all that great. In their fifteen previous Premier League encounters with Tottenham, Wigan have only won three and have suffered seven defeats. Surprisingly though, the Latics did take a 1-0 win at White Hart Lane against all the odds earlier in the season and if they could pull off a double it would be outstanding for Roberto Martinez’s men. Form has just been slipping away from Wigan after a run of three tough games on the road. They rescued a very late point at Loftus Road against QPR at the start of April, before going on to lose against Manchester City and West Ham.

They are still playing well and creating chances, but the lack of composure in finishing chances has cost them dearly. They could easily have beaten Man City for example but ended up getting punished. So Wigan once again have to dig deep. This time last season they went on a tremendous run of form to get themselves clear of the drop zone. It hasn’t been happening yet for them. They have the same amount of points as they did at this stage last term, winning four of their last five matches then. But Wigan are without a win in their last three, but they have won their last two home games. At the DW Stadium this season, Wigan have posted a W4 D4 L8 record but they have been a bit shy in front of goal.

They have returned goals at a rate of just 1.25 per game on home soil, but have conceded badly at a rate of exactly two per game. 75% of all Wigan’s home matches this season have gone over 2.5 goals. Wigan have only netted four goals in his last six matches, none in their last two so there are clear problems there. They have scored the highest percentage of second half goals in the Premier League this season. But the visiting Tottenham clearly have the better firepower and will carry the bigger threat, especially as they have a big target to play for themselves. Spurs have led in 13 away games this season, and only Manchester have done so more often.

Tottenham have rescued a bit of form, picking up two wins and a draw in their last three. The wins came against Swansea and Manchester City and the draw against Everton, so they are really digging in right now. Tottenham have goals in them and of course have Gareth Bale who will pose a massive threat to Wigan. Spurs have a great W9 D2 L5 record on the road this season and have scored at just under two goals per game. Hard to see them losing this while Wigan are looking fragile and a 2-0 Correct Score wager for Tottenham looks to be in the right range for value at odds of 9/1 with online bookmaker Sportingbet.

Form
Wigan WWDWWLL, Spurs LWDDDW

Stat Attack
Gareth Bale has scored nine and assisted three goals in his last nine EPL starts
Wigan have the same amount of points as they did at this stage last term
Jermain Defoe has 10 goals in 12 Premier League matches against the Latics
Both teams have scored in 24 of Spurs’ matches this season
Tottenham have led in 13 away matches so far on their travels this season

 

Reading v QPR Betting Preview
This should be a fun encounter at the Madejski with both sides looking pretty doomed. This could be the deciding match to determine who finished bottom of the pile. There are just twelve points available for both sides to claw their way out of the drop zone. Sitting level on 24 points each, they are ten points points adrift of safety. So it is unlikely that either are going to be playing Premier League football next season. Both sides are in terrible form and a win now would be nothing more than a bit of a consolation  in attempting to avoid finishing completely last for the season.

Reading v QPR Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Reading 8/5, QPR 7/5, Draw 12/5

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Reading v QPR Recommended Bet:
This was setting itself up to be a crucial relegation battle but the form of the two clubs have been so terrible that it is too late for salvation most likely. The loser of this game will definitely be relegated, and if the two sides produce a draw, all that Aston Villa will need is a point on Monday against Sunderland to relegate both the Royals and the R’s. So a bit of pride is really all that is on the line here and the hopes of not having the sword of relegation fall upon them just yet. The form of the Royals has just nose-dived since the beginning of February. From Boxing Day through Febraury 2nd inclusive, they have lost just one game, and won four of seven. Since then it has been eight defeats in nine matches, an awful return which has sunk them down to this position. They are lightweight up front, having produced the fewest shots on goal of all Premier League sides this season.

Reading have recorded just one point from the last 27 available and they are the only side to average less than 40% possession in the Premier League this season. They did pick up a point at Loftus Road earlier in the season after opening the scoring. Reading’s hoe form this season reads W4 D7 L6, just a 23% success rate. They are without a win in four and they have failed to score in their last two home matches. Overall they have scored at a rate of 1.3 goals per game at the Madejski this season and have conceded at a rate of 1.8 per game. 79% of their 24 points earned this season have come on home soil. They have left things late in scoring goals, with 62% of all their goals being scored in the second half of matches, and ten of their 37 league goals this season have been scored by substitutes. So can the Royals sink the QPR ship?

Rangers have slumped badly since Harry Redknapp’s initial revival after taking charge of the club. They have now lost four of the last five played, the exception being a point picked up against Wigan, a game they should have actually won, but threw away at the death. Had they beaten Wigan, this game would have a totally different complexion. Rangers have lost their last two games by a 2-0 scoreline (against Everton and Stoke) and in total have produced just two wins in their last thirteen Premier League matches. They have suffered four defeats in their last five away matches and have posted just two away wins all term in a W2 D4 L11 record. Rangers average exactly a goal per game on the road, and they have conceded at a rate of 1.8 per away match.

Hard to get a read on what will happen here. QPR probably have a little bit more going forward, but defensively both struggle badly. This has the making of a feisty match as well but would just edge things in favour of the visitors and a QPR 1 Goal Winning Margin is offered at 3/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes.

Form
Reading LLLLDL, QPR WLLDLL

Stat Attack
Reading and QPR have conceded 121 league goals between them this season
There have been five red cards in the last five meetings between the two clubs
It is now three hours and five minutes since QPR last scored
Reading have produced the fewest shots on goal of all Premier League teams this term

 

Leicester v Watford Betting Preview
A match of great importance in the Championship on Friday night, as the two promotion hopefuls square up. Leicester go into the match one point out of the play offs and really need to land a win to keep themselves in the picture, this being their penultimate game of the season. The stakes are high, while for Watford, a win for them would keep up the pressure on second placed Hull City and just keep alive Watford’s chances of stealing the second automatic promotion spot from them. All to play for.

Leicester v Watford Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Leicester Evens, Draw 23/10, Watford 11/5

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Leicester v Watford Recommended Bet:
The Foxes go into this one as favourite and Nigel Pearson’s men have to produce a great performance or their chance of the play offs could slip them by. The pressure is on with just two matches remaining in the season, but Leicester can look at a good home record against Watford. They have won the last four in a row on home soil against Watford, unbeaten in five, and on two of those occasions they have netted four goals in the game. So there is promise and hope for them to get a big result, even though they lost at Vicarage Road earlier in the season. Nigel Pearson’s men are in pretty solid shape, unbeaten in their last four in the Championship, but only one of those matches have yielded a win. So perhaps a draw is not an unrealistic route to take for your betting on this one.

At home this season, Leicester have posted a W13 D4 L5 record and they are unbeaten in their last two, taking a draw against Birmingham and then an important win against Bolton. They have shown some pretty good grit, taking that win against the Trotters and then earning themselves a draw against Crystal Palace on the weekend. Chris Wood netted a crucial equaliser in the match and the Foxes will need their forward like to be sharp again on Friday night. The Foxes have scored at an average rate of just over two goals per game at home this season, while at the back they have performed superbly as well, conceding at under a goal per game. That should put them in pretty strong standing to get something out of this game and keep their play off hopes alive.

Gianfranco Zola’s Watford are still eyeing up an automatic play off spot, going into this match four points behind second placed Hull. The window of opportunity is still there, but they really need three points from this encounter. As the season has gotten to the business end, the wins have been harder to come by for the Hornets. They routed the relegation threatened Blackburn on the weekend and if they play that like again, then they will be favourites to get promoted, even going through the play offs. Watford have only recorded two wins in their last eight Championship matches though, so the pressure has been telling. Away from home, Watford have posted a W11 D3 L8 record for the season and have scored at just under a goal per game on the road.

Leicester have conceded in each of their last five home matches and Watford are a threat up front. The Foxes do have a good home run of form going against the Hornets though and a score draw looks a plausible outcome for this game. A Score Draw option looks good and a 1-1 Correct Score is trading at 13/2 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes

Form
Leicester LLDDWD, Watford DWDLLW

Stat Attack
Leicester have won the last four in a row at home against the Hornets
Watford have won just two of their last eight matches in the Championship
Leicester have scored at a rate of over two goals per game at home this season
Watford have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches

 

Fenerbahce v Benfica Betting Preview
The Portuguese side are the favoured ones to make it through to the final where they would play the winner of Chelsea and Swiss side Basel. But this first leg in Turkey actually has the makings of being a tight affair. Benfica have picked up three draws on the road this season in Europe already, while the Turkish side have drawn three of their last six at home. The Turks will likely play a game of consolidation and try to keep Benfica off the scoresheet. The last time that Fenerbahce met Benfica, they were hammered 7-1 on aggregate. They will want to vanquish memories of that.

Fenerbahce v Benfica Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Benfica 7/5, Fenerbahce 2/1, Draw 23/10

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Fenerbahce v Benfica Recommended Bet:
The Turkish side are making their debut in the semi final of a European competition, and they performed great in their quarter final match up against Serie A side Lazio. Fenerbahce produced a solid 2-0 home win over the Italians and they battled back to a 1-1 draw in the second leg. It continued their solid progress through the Europa League this season and they look a very well organised side who will be pretty confident of shutting down Benfica. Fenerbahce have not lost in the six European matches that they have played in the 2013 (W3 D3). In that run they have only managed to return an average of a goal per game. So while they aren’t perhaps too prolific in front of goal, they have been superb in defence. It is something which has helped them stretch together a run of just two defeat and twelve wins from their last 19 European matches. They aren’t a pushover.

Fenerbahce have kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 European matches now, so will put up a stiff front to Benfica. They have recorded the most clean sheets of all teams in Europe this term. The memories of that only previous meeting between the two clubs, back in the 1975/76 European Champion Club’s Cup first round, ended in their biggest ever UEFA defeat, losing 7-0 in Lisbon before winning 1-0 back at home in the second leg. Fenerbahce’s record against sides from Portugal is W3 D0 L3 and in Turkey that is at W2 D0 L1. So this tie is going to be all about Fenerbahce keeping things tight in the first leg and negating the attacking threat of Benfica. With three draws in their last six home matches, a draw may well be a good option to ride for this first leg.

After coming down from the Champions League group stage this season, Benfica have produced five wins in their six matches since joining up with the Europa League. They are the ones of the final four, not to have lost a Europa League match this term. Benfica have recorded a W3 D2 L2 record and in Turkey that is just a W0 D2 L1 record. The Portuguese side have plenty of experience in European semi finals, and this will be their 13th time at this stage. They have made it through to the final eight times before from their previous twelve semi finals. Benfica are unbeaten in their last nine European matches, having won seven of them. Oscar Cardozo has been in great form in Europe this term, scoring six from just five starts. Benfica can get the ball down and play, but may have a long night trying to break down the mean Fenerbahce defence.

Given how strong Fenerbahce’s home form has been, it suggest that they are good enough to get a draw. An outright draw is trading at 23/10 with online bookmaker Bet365.

Form
Fenerbahce WWWDWL, Benfica WWWWDW

Stat Attack
The Turkish side have lost just two of their 16 European matches this season
Fenerbahce has kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 European matches
Benfica have won five of their six matches in the Europa League since joining
Benfica are unbeaten in nine European games, winning seven

 

Chelsea v FC Basel Betting Preview
The Blues are favourites with the bookmakers to take a victory in this first leg of their Europa League encounter. However, they have been struggling on the road in Europe, while the Swiss side have been producing some very solid home form, including knockout out Tottenham in the last round. Basel are aiming to become the first ever Swiss side in the final of a European competition, while Chelsea are aiming to make a clean sweep of all UEFA’s major titles. This is looking as if it is simply a match up between Basel’s home form and Chelsea’s shaky away form in Europe. Are the Blues in for a shock or will their experience tell?

Chelsea v FC Basel Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Chelsea 13/10, Basel 19/10, Draw 12/5

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Chelsea v FC Basel Recommended Bet:
The reason why Chelsea aren’t priced a lot shorter in this match is because of all the troubles which they have been having on the road. Both of their last away matches in the competition have ended in defeat, losing at Steaua Bucharest and then against Russian side Rubin Kazan in the quarter finals. They have just about done enough to get through, but their away form has to be called into questions. They have lost four of their last five away games in European competition now, not something which will warrant backing them heavily on Thursday night perhaps. They have looked as if they have just had enough in the tank to get through some tight duels all the way through this season’s Europa League and they haven’t looked thoroughly convincing at times simply because of their away form. Overall, in their limited UEFA Cup matches, they have posted just a W2 D0 L5 away record.

Eleven times previously Chelsea have made it to the semi final of a major European competition and only on four of those times have they progressed. They have gone up against Swiss opposition just once before as well, losing out 2-1 on aggregate as St Gallen in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup first round. Chelsea were denied a win at Liverpool in the Premier League on the weekend, denting their chances of a top three finish a little bit. The Blues have played a lot of games this season. It has certainly been a long, tough one for them and this will be their 62nd match of the season across all competitions. This could be a trickier match than many will be expecting for the Blues, given their poor form on the road and how strong the Swiss side are at home. Chelsea haven’t lost three away matches in a row in Europe since May 2005. The key to all of this could be Chelsea landing an away goal on Thursday night, something which should set them up well for the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

As for FC Basel, this is the first time they have been in the semi final of a European competition. In beating Spurs in the last round, edging past the Premier League in a penalty shoot out, they recorded their first ever knockout win against an English side. Basel have only recorded two wins from 15 previous matches against English sides, famously one of them being against Manchester United at St Jakobs Park in the 2011/12 Champions League group stage, eliminating the Red Devils. Their home form is not to be messed with, currently they are on an eight match unbeaten streak at home in Europe, winning six and drawing the other two. They have scored a competition high of six goals from corners in this season’s competition. Basel have drawn four of their last six games in all competitions and that may not be a bad way to go. They look pretty good with their pace in wide attacking areas.

Chelsea may just need to put in a solid performance here and get a crucial away goal. They have the better European experience to call upon and it may be worth calling on a Draw/Draw Half Time/Full Time bet at online bookmaker Ladbrokes for a price of 4/1.

Form
FC Basel WDDDWD, Chelsea WWLLWD

Stat Attack
Chelsea have scored in their last 11 matches
FC Basel are unbeaten in their last eight European home matches
Chelsea have lost four of their last five away games in Europe
FC Basel have won just two of 15 matches against English opponents