Europa League Betting: Fener to suffer more heartache

Zenit v Fenerbahce
Thursday 21 February, 17:55
Live on BT Sport Extra

Fenerbahce were supposed to be enjoying a new dawn this season, with new leadership on and off the field. However, Dutch coach Phillip Cocu didn’t last very long in his role, and one of the biggest clubs in Turkey has been fighting against the drop for most of the season.

Last week’s first leg win over Zenit was a rare ray of light in the gloom. New signings Islam Slimani and Victor Moses combined for the only goal, and Zenit blew a great opportunity when Robert Mak failed from the penalty spot.

I suspect that is as good as it will get for Fener in this tie, and they may rue not travelling to Russia with a bigger advantage. Their away form is atrocious, with just two road victories all season, and five defeats in the last eight outings.

Zenit won seven of their last eight home matches before the winter break, and the first leg will have shaken off a bit of the ring rust from the winter break. In the Europa League, they have won their last five home games, and I’ll back them to turn this tie around and qualify for the last 16.

Bayer Leverkusen v Krasnodar
Thursday 21 February, 20:00
Live on BT Sport Extra

Bayer Leverkusen kept their first clean sheet under new coach Peter Bosz in last week’s goalless first leg in Russia, and then built on that with another in a 2-0 derby victory at home to Fortuna Dusseldorf on Sunday. If Bosz can marry solid defence with his high-octane attacking game, he’ll have quite a combination on his hands.

Bayer are flying in the Bundesliga, and they are taking this tournament very seriously, having picked a first-choice line-up last week. Attacking players Kai Havertz, Julian Brandt and Kevin Volland are all in excellent form, and Jamaican speedster Leon Bailey is returning to his best.

Krasnodar were denied a few times by Bayer keeper Lukas Hradecky last week, and may feel they have missed their chance to progress. They lost two of their three away games in the group stage, including a 3-0 humbling at Sevilla.

I’ll back Leverkusen to win by two goals on the Sportsbook’s Handicap at 6/5.

Dynamo Kiev v Olympiakos
Thursday February 21, 20:00
Live on BT Sport Extra

Dynamo came from behind twice to draw 2-2 against Olympiakos in Greece, and now they are in the driving seat in this tie. The Ukrainian outfit have won five of their last seven home games in all competitions.

Olympiakos have saved most of their best performances in this competition for their fans in Greece. On the road they have found life more difficult – they lost at Milan and Betis in the group stage, and they have only won three of their last nine away games in this competition.

I’ll back the hosts to win here at [2.22].

Salzburg v Club Brugge
Thursday February 21, 17:55
Live on BT Sport Extra

Salzburg have lots of success in this competition. They reached the semi-finals last season, and this term they won all six of their group matches. However, they are now under pressure after a 2-1 first-leg defeat in Belgium.

Club Brugge have only won two of their last 13 away games in all competitions, and they’ll find the atmosphere in Salzburg an oppressive one. The Austrian champions have won 12 of their last 14 home matches, and in the Europa League they have won seven of their last eight outings on home soil.

I’ll back the hosts -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at [1.91].