Europa League Betting: Goals in short supply for the big hitters

Borussia Dortmund v FC Salzburg
Thursday 08 March, 18:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra

The good ship Borussia Dortmund hasn’t yet hit any rocks under the stewardship of coach Peter Stoger, but it hasn’t been to many lovely desert islands either. The Austrian is unbeaten in ten Bundesliga games as BVB boss, but five of those games have been drawn. Indeed, Dortmund have drawn their last three matches in all competitions.

However, there is plenty to be optimistic about. The team has shown great fighting spirit to dig itself out of some sticky situations, such as in the previous round when a late equaliser from Marcel Schmelzer saw BVB squeeze past Atalanta. Also, Marco Reus looks as if he’s getting back to his best after injury – he has scored in three of his last four appearances.

FC Salzburg have to be respected, after they beat Real Sociedad in the previous round. As usual, they are well clear at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga, and they went through their UEL group unbeaten. Although their knockout games against La Real were pretty lively, it’s interesting to note that five of their six group games featured fewer than three goals.

As an Austrian who knows all about Salzburg’s strengths, Stoger won’t be throwing caution to the wind here, and I like the look of backing Under 2.5 Goals at [2.28]. That bet has paid out in BVB’s last four matches in all competitions.

Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 Goals at [2.28]

Marseille v Athletic Club
Thursday 08 March, 20:05 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra

I have been stung numerous times opposing Athletic Club in this tournament, but like Bart Simpson constantly reaching for the cupcake that electrocutes him, I just can’t help myself. Cuco Ziganda’s team play dull, stodgy football, and I’m amazed they have got this far in the competition.

Athletic Club have lost three of their last four away games in all competitions, and although they deserve respect for knocking out Spartak Moscow in the last round, I think they’ll fall short at a Marseille team with plenty of talent.

Yes, Marseille were just spanked twice by PSG in league and cup, but they have won three of their last four games at the Stade Velodrome, including a 3-0 hammering of a proficient Braga team. Rudi Garcia is expected to field a strong side, including the irrepressible Florian Thauvin, who has been on sensational form this season. Thauvin has scored 17 goals and set up another ten in this campaign.

Marseille are trading at [1.9] to take a first-leg lead, and I’ll happily back them to do so.

Recommended Bet
Back Marseille to win at [1.9]

Atletico Madrid v Lokomotiv Moscow
Thursday 08 March, 18:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra

It’s turning into quite a season for Lokomotiv Moscow. The Railroaders haven’t won the Russian title since 2004, and yet they are currently seven points clear at the top of the table with just nine games left. Despite the potential problems a long winter break can bring, Loko flew out of the traps to knock out Nice in the previous round, winning 3-2 in France and 1-0 in the Russian capital.

Now a bigger test awaits in the shape of the tournament favourites Atletico Madrid. Atleti’s La Liga title hopes have almost faded into nothingness after a morale-sapping 1-0 defeat at leaders Barcelona. That pesky Lionel Messi did the damage with a stunning free-kick, as Diego Simeone’s team managed just one shot on target.

Atleti are desperate to win a European trophy, and with Champions League qualification all but assured through La Liga, they can now fully focus on this competition. They have won their last five home games without conceding a goal, and will be confident they can extend that run.

Simeone will have plenty of respect for a Lokomotiv team that has won its last six away games in all competitions, so I can’t see him releasing the shackles too early. Five of Atletico’s six UCL group games featured fewer than three goals, as did their only home game so far in this competition, a 1-0 win over Copenhagen.

Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 Goals at [1.92]

CSKA Moscow v Lyon
Thursday 08 March, 18:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra

CSKA Moscow made it through to the last 16 in rather painful fashion, as they edged out Crvena Zvezda across two dull matches. The Russian giants won 1-0 in Russia after a goalless stalemate in Belgrade.

It means that CSKA have kept clean sheets in all three of their games since the winter break, but have only scored twice. They have only conceded goals in one of their last seven home matches.

Lyon have hit a rough patch of form, and injury means they might be without talismanic captain Nabil Fekir. OL have won just one of their last five matches, and they haven’t scored more than once in any of their last four outings.

With Lyon out of form and CSKA defensively solid, I suspect there won’t be too many goals here.

Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 Goals at [1.8]