Thursday sees the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference league play-off round matches take place, leaving us with some hugely enticing fixtures following dramatic first legs.
One of the eight second-leg fixtures has already taken place with KAA Gent drawing 1-1 with Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday evening, resulting in the Israeli side winning 2-1 on aggregate and progressing into the last 16 of a major European competition for the first time in their history.
With seven other games now set to take place, 14 other sides will be looking to join Maccabi Haifa and progress through the playoff round.
It’s also the Europa League play-off round tonight, check out the fixtures below:
Read on as we pick out our top tips and booking code for the upcoming action:
Bodo/Glimt vs Ajax
The first-leg matchup between these sides proved to be one of the most entertaining European games we will likely see this season, as Ajax fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 courtesy of two added-minute goals.
Considering Ajax were two goals down heading into the match’s final minutes, they will not complain about heading into the second leg on level terms. Still, the overall performance from Ajax deserved much more than they got. Ajax created an impressive 2.14xG throughout the game while giving up just 0.56xG to their opponents, but Bodo/Glimt made the most of their chances with two goals from three shots on target.
This second leg sees Ajax travel to Norway where Bodo/Glimt will be looking to make the most of their home advantage. However, with the amount of chances Ajax had in the first leg and Brian Brobbey getting back on the scoresheet over the weekend, we expect him to get his goal and help Ajax to a victory after his rather poor performance in front of goal in the first leg.
Ajax to win, 2.66
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Union St. Gilloise
Another of the games to have ended 2-2 in the first leg was that between Frankfurt and USG with the Belgian side coming from two behind to salvage a draw. The two sides matched each other in almost every aspect of this game, with a split of 49 and 51% possession and both sides ending the game with just over 1.5xG.
Going into the second leg sees Frankfurt hold the home advantage as the game takes place at the Deutsche Bank Park, where Frankfurt have been so hard to beat this season. Of the 14 games they have played at home they have lost just twice, while wins at home have included a massive 5-1 win over Bayern Munich. While USG are no slouches away from home, losing one of their last 10 away games, we believe that Frankfurt will make the most of the home advantage and go on to win this game.
Eintracht Frankfurt to win, 2.08
Dinamo Zagreb vs Real Betis
Dinamo Zagreb managed to take victory home from Spain in the first leg of this matchup, winning 1-0 thanks to a penalty from top scorer Bruno Petkovic.
Betis would have been extremely disappointed with this result as they were by far the more dominant side of the two, having 60% possession and taking 16 shots to Zagreb’s six. However, they were unable to convert these chances and Zagreb will be delighted with them now 1-0 up on aggregate and at home in the second leg.
While the first game was extremely weighted in Betis’ favour we expect that Zagreb’s performance levels will increase with the home crowd behind them, and we expect this one to end in a draw with Zagreb taking the victory on aggregate.
Dinamo Zagreb & Real Betis to draw, 3.40
Best Booking Code: 68GVZFN
