The Daily Acca: Wenger and Simeone to serve up a cracker

Bet 1: Back BTTS in Marseille v Red Bull Salzburg @ 4/6 – KO 20:05 BST

We begin with the first of two Europa League semi-finals and I can’t see anything other than goals at Stade Vélodrome.

The hosts are bang in form having won their last three matches to an aggregate score of 13-5. Two of those were in Ligue One, and the other was a 5-2 thrashing of RB Salzburg in this competition – so they obviously have the taste for Red Bull.

The visitors are also on a winning streak as they have won four on the bounce – albeit one being on penalties following a draw in their domestic cup. They knocked out Lazio in the last round of this competition, and that was after losing the first leg in Italy by four goals to two.

This selection would have landed in Marseille’s last two at home in the Europa League and the same can be said for Salzburg’s last three on the road. This may be the first leg of two, but I wouldn’t be concerned by this being a cagey affair.

Bet 2: Back BTTS in Arsenal v Atletico Madrid @ 4/5 – KO 19:45 BST

Whoever wins this tie between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid will be the favourites to lift the trophy and it’s absolutely imperative that the Gunners get off to a good start before they head to Spain in a week’s time.

Arsene Wenger has announced that he is leaving the club and his team won 4-1 in their first game since his announcement. I expect his players to be well up for this fixture and I have every faith that they will find the net at least once – even against this Atletico defence.

Diego Simeone’s side haven’t been firing of late as they have won just one of their last five in all competitions. They actually conceded three at Real Sociedad in a 3-0 defeat on April 19th and they could only draw with Betis at the weekend.

Atletico are a vastly experienced team in European competition though and they will most definitely see the value of an away goal, given how tight they know they can keep it at home in the second leg.

Bet 3: Back Racing Club @ 11/8 – KO 01:30 BST (Fri)

Argentinian team, Racing Club, travel to Brazil to take on Vasco da Gama in the Copa Libertadores tonight and they are a decent price at 11/8 to get the three points.

The visitors are top of Group 5 having won two and drawn one of their three matches to date and they won the reverse fixture 4-0 a week ago.

Vasco da Gama are bottom with one point from a possible nine and they have already been beaten by Universidad Chile at home. They may have made a promising start to their domestic campaign by winning one and drawing the other, but they have been shown up at this level.

Racing Club have only lost one of their last seven on their travels in all competitions and while they aren’t desperate for the points tonight, they won’t ease off against a Brazilian club.