Aberdeen v Burnley: Back England in this Europa League battle of Britain

“This match, against an opponent that finished seventh in the English top-flight, couldn’t have come at a worse time for Derek McInnes and his men after they suffered the humiliation of losing star striker Adam Rooney to Non-League side Salford City”

Aberdeen v Burnley
Thursday, 7.45pm
Live on BT Sport

Aberdeen recorded an unlikely win over Celtic in Glasgow on the final day of the season to beat Rangers to second place in the Premiership, but they may just wish that hadn’t bothered after being drawn with English Premier League side Burnley in the Europa League qualifying second round. The Dons host The Clarets on Thursday night in the Granite City before travelling to Turf Moor a week later.

This match, against an opponent that finished seventh in the English top-flight, couldn’t have come at a worse time for Derek McInnes and his men after they suffered the humiliation of losing star striker Adam Rooney to Non-League side Salford City earlier this month. They’ll surely miss the 30-year-old who scored 87 goals in 194 appearances – certainly in the short-term – and at the time of writing they’re yet to bring in a replacement.

While his opposite number is counting the pennies and looking for a goal scorer on the cheap, Burnley boss Sean Dyche has spent the summer shaping his squad as he aims to improve on last season’s amazing effort. The Lancashire side are back playing European football for the first time in over half a decade and although no one will be taking their Scottish opponents lightly, on paper this has to go down as a comfortable tie to bring them back to reality after a break.

If Burnley get the better of Aberdeen over two legs they will then face Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir in the next round and that’s not going to cause too many sleepless nights in the camp either. Do a professional job north of the border, kill this tie off at the first time of asking and a place in the group stages of the competition would be a real possibility.

Aberdeen’s problems certainly haven’t gone unnoticed by traders and there’s a chunky 17/5 available on the home win through the Betfair Sportsbook. A big price but there won’t be too many in a rush to oppose, other than a few home fans. There’s not too much difference in their price to qualify with 3/1 chalked up on the board at last check.

The English invaders are strong favourites to march north and nick the all-important first-leg lead and the 4/5 on the Sportsbook is sure to show up in a fair share of midweek accumulators. That’s better than the form of both sides says it should be and it makes more appeal than taking Burnley over two legs at 2/9.

The match betting odds doesn’t offer casual football punters an awful lot to get excited about unless you fancy the upset so we expect to see business done on the specials. Aberdeen will be well aware of their poor record in this competition but will also know their best chance will come from making home advantage count. They’ll tuck up tight and aim to hit on the counter. Are they good enough to pick their opponents off? Unlikely.

If Burnley are able to get themselves on the scoresheet in the first-half it’ll throw a spanner in the plans of McInnes. Concede and The Dons must respond. Therefore, over 2.5 goals at evens is better than under 2.5 at 8/11. Those looking to spice up their Thursday night viewing can try 2-1 at 7/1 – all three sportsbook prices.