Thursday Football Cheat Sheet: All the best bets in one place

Legia Warsaw v Leicester City
17:45
Live on BT Sport 2

Leicester City have made a shaky start to the season and their defensive deficiencies could be exploited by Legia Warsaw in this Europa League clash.

Kevin Hatchard says: “Leicester do have the greater technical quality, and they are the fair favourites in the Match Odds market at 1.664/6, but I can’t get excited about backing them at that price. The Foxes weren’t great on the road in this competition last term, winning just one of their four away games, and they are arguably in worse shape now than they were then. I’ll look elsewhere for my primary bet.

“The bet that stands out to me is backing Both Teams To Score at 1.845/6. Legia put four goals past Slavia Prague across two legs, and they have scored in seven of their last eight competitive home games. Given Leicester’s defensive deficiencies, and the absence of Ndidi in midfield, I’ll be surprised if the visitors can keep a clean sheet here.”

Kevin’s bet: Back Both Teams To Score at 1.845/6

Sparta Prague v Rangers
17:45
Live on BT Sport

Steven Gerrard takes his side to Prague, where they face Sparta in Group A. The Gers need a result after losing their opening match and our previewer thinks they’ll get it.

Frank Monkhouse says: “The home team sit above their opponents after one game played with a point on the board thanks to an opening day draw away to Brondby. That match finished goalless and gave Sparta Prague a strong foundation on which to build. They will be in the driving seat for a top-two finish if they can gain three points here.

“They warmed up for this game with a stunning 5-2 away win over Zlin on Saturday, but that was the team’s first victory in four tries in all competitions. It followed a 3-2 loss at Viktoria Plzen, that 0-0 at Brondby and a 1-1 at home to Jablonec. Five goals, five different names on the scoresheet and a strong three points. Sparta enters with their tails up.

“The home win is priced at 2.747/4 on the Betfair Exchange, which will attract attention. Another draw trades at 3.412/5 while both teams to score in a fourth game in five for Prague is likely to appear on a share of multiples at 1.728/11.”

Frank’s bet: Back Rangers win @ 2.6413/8

Zorya 9.08/1 v Roma 1.4740/85; The Draw 4.67/2
17:45
Live on BT Sport ESPN

Dan Fitch says: “After winning their first six matches of the season under new manager Jose Mourinho, Roma have lost two of their last three games, including their derby against Lazio at the weekend, in which they were defeated 3-2.

“That leaves Roma fourth in Serie A after six games (W4 D0 L2). We have to assume that Roma will get back to winning ways here, especially as they are scoring easily. Their nine games this season have seen Roma score 24 goals, which averages at 2.66 goals-per-game.

“This stat could be key in finding value in a Roma win against a Zorya side that conceded three against Glimt. A Roma win and over 2.5 goals is 2.26/5.”

Dan’s bet: Back Roma to beat Zorya and over 2.5 goals at 2.26/5

Tottenham v Mura
20:00
Live on BT Sport 2

Can Spurs get some Europa Conference League respite from their domestic problems? Manager Nuno Espirito Santo could certainly use a win.

Dan Fitch says: “Tottenham drew their opening game in Group G away at Rennes, so in the context of this competition, a victory at home against the group’s weakest team is a necessity. In a wider context, such has been the poor form of this team under their new manager Nuno, that a failure to claim three points, could see the Portuguese coach lose his job.

“Nuno was the manager of the month for August after three straight Premier League wins, but even during this run, the performances did not convince. They’ve since lost three Premier League derbies in a row, with teams of such varied quality as Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal, all beating Spurs with ease. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Nuno’s brief reign already includes some of the worst performances from a Tottenham side over the last 20 years. No wonder only Steve Bruce is a shorter price than Nuno (6.05/1) in Betfair’s Next Premier League Manager to Leave market.

“Opposition of the standard of Mura gives Nuno the chance to experiment with his lineup and try to find a winning formula. New signings Cristian Romero and Bryan Gil must surely start, while Nuno has a decision to make on Harry Kane. Rest the striker before the crucial match against Aston Villa on Sunday, or give him more time on the pitch to find some form.”

Dan’s bet: Back Tottenham to win both halves against Mura at 2.111/10

West Ham v Rapid Vienna
20:00
Live on BT Sport 1

West Ham made a superb start to the Europa League group stage with an away win in Zagreb. Now the Hammers will be confident of sweeping aside struggling Rapid Vienna.

Kevin Hatchard says: “West Ham are the superior team, and they are in far better form than their Austrian opponents. They have won three of their last four competitive matches, and they have only conceded two goals across their last five outings.

“There are a few ways to play this. You can back West Ham to win by two goals or more by backing them -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 1.768/11. If you consider how much Rapid are struggling in front of goal, you could back West Ham to win and Under 3.5 Goals at 1.9210/11 on the Sportsbook’s Bet Builder (see offer below).

“Michail Antonio continues to be a talismanic figure in attack for West Ham. He has scored five goals in five Premier League appearances this term, and he netted an opportunistic opener in Zagreb. He is understandably short to find the net here, as he is priced at 8/11, but you could double that up with a West Ham win at 1.910/11 on the Bet Builder.“

Kevin’s bet:Back West Ham -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 1.768/11

Celtic v Bayer Leverkusen
20:00
Live on BT Sport

Celtic make their home debut in Group G when taking on Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. After losing last time out, the Bhoys need to kickstart their campaign but it will not be be easy.

Frank says: “Celtic slipped on matchday one in Spain when losing 4-3 at Real Betis. That was a game they were expected to lose but roared into an early lead before the Spaniards found their feet and battled back. It was an enthralling contest but one that highlights the defensive frailties of the beaten team. Betis fashioned eight shots on target and scored half of them while Celtic had more possession of the ball, 16 attempts and seven shots on target but returned empty-handed.

“Since losing to Betis, Celtic’s poor start to the season has continued, and they have lost 1-0 at Livingston in the Premiership, beaten lowly Raith Rovers 3-0 in the League Cup then drew 1-1 at home against Dundee United on Sunday. Despite that run, the home win is available at 3.953/1, which is shorter than many would have expected.”

Frank’s bet: Back Bayer Leverkusen HT/FT @ 2.982/1

Marseille v Galatasaray
20:00
Live on BT Sport ESPN

“Life is certainly never dull when Jorge Sampaoli is around. The Argentinean coach had already put his exciting yet chaotic stamp on Marseille, and win, lose or draw, there’s always something going on.

“Sunday night’s 3-2 home defeat to Lens was a great example of this barely-controlled chaos. L’OM fell 2-0 behind inside 27 minutes, they were level by half-time thanks to a brace from Dimitri Payet, but they conceded a second-half winner.

“Marseille are averaging two points per game in Ligue 1, and have scored 14 goals in seven top-flight matches, so they are fun to watch. The concession of a late leveller in the 1-1 draw at Lokomotiv Moscow means Marseille have to take this game seriously, and they face a Galatasaray side that is full of confidence after a 1-0 win over Lazio. Five of their seven Super Lig games have featured at least three goals, and their recent 3-0 hammering at Kayserispor suggests there are still defensive deficiencies to address.”

Kevin’s bet: Back Over 2.5 Goals in Marseille v Galatasaray at 1.845/6