Europa League Round of 32 Multi and Best Bets

European football returns this week, but while most eyes will be focused on the UEFA Champions League, there are also noteworthy betting opportunities in the UEFA Europa League.

The round of 32 first leg features the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, AC Milan and AS Roma among many other headline names.

We have compiled a list of suggested bets for Thursday night’s action, which you can either place individually or as a multi-bet.

Real Sociedad v Manchester United

Real Sociedad’s matches tend to see goals at both ends. Indeed, this has been the case in seven of their last eight. They sit fifth in La Liga with wins in their last two matches, so they have every chance of taking the game to the Red Devils.

Manchester United, for their part, have been inconsistent recently. Bruno Fernandes has played a key role in keeping them in the Premier League title race, but the shaky form of David de Gea has been a contributing factor to the Red Devils often leaking valuable goals and points. They have seen goals at both ends in their last two Premier League fixtures.

The trends point to a high-scoring fixture with goals at both ends of the field.

Best Bet: BTTS at 1.71

Wolfsberger v Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham have Harry Kane back in action and have a major chance to regain form against a similarly inconsistent Wolfsberger side. There is value in the -1 handicap market and Jose Mourinho’s men have plenty of experience on the big stage, which means they are worth backing for potential returns above even money.

Best Bet: Tottenham (-1) Handicap at 2.15

Arsenal v Benfica

Arsenal and Benfica alike have struggled throughout most of 2020/21. However, Mikel Arteta’s men have sown the seeds of a revival of sorts.

Although they hit a bump in the road with defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa, the Gunners bounced back with a 4-2 win over Leeds United. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s hat-trick was a reminder of Arsenal’s attacking depth after he was restored to the starting lineup.

It is easier to see hope on the horizon for Arsenal than it is for Benfica, who languish in fourth place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, with fierce rivals Sporting CP on course for the title. Benfica’s last match was a 1-1 draw to Moreirense to add to earlier points dropped in February in defeat to Sporting and a draw with Vitoria Guimaraes.

The match will be played on neutral ground at the Stadio Olimpico even though it is technically a home match for Benfica, only adding to the reasons why Arsenal are the likely winners.

Best Bet: Arsenal To Win at 2.35

Red Star Belgrade v AC Milan

Red Star Belgrade have held their own in the UEFA Europa League so far this season, but AC Milan will be an entirely different test. The Rossoneri are in contention for the Serie A title, but have generally picked strong sides in Europe this season. The odds favour them for the away leg of their round of 32 tie and Stefano Pioli’s men are likely to deliver.

Best Bet: AC Milan Win at 1.95

AS Roma v Braga

Roma matches tend to be high-scoring affairs with 12 of their last 14 having seen three or more goals.

Meanwhile, only Porto have seen more goals at both ends collectively in their Portuguese Primeira Liga matches this season than Braga, who have seen 51 in total at an average of 2.68 per match.

Roma are the likely winners on Thursday, but Braga have held their own against some tough opposition this season, so this is by no means a certainty. Trends suggest that one fairly safe bet is that there will be plenty of goals.

Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals at 1.71

Ajax v Lille

Both teams sit top of their respective domestic leagues and it is almost impossible to pick a winner.

Ajax have eight wins in a row in all competitions despite having recently been rocked by the 12-month suspension of goalkeeper André Onana for a doping violation.

Lille, meanwhile, have won seven of their last eight matches and lead champions Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyon in the Ligue 1 title race.

Fortunately, you do not have to pick a winner in this one. The value is with a draw at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy at 2.45.

Best Bet: Draw at 3.45