With the European action rolling onto Thursday night, we are treated to another stacked schedule from across the continent.
As the Europa League and Europa Conference League steal centre stage, domestic rivals Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa will meet for what is a blockbuster first-leg battle.
For those of you looking to stick on a midweek flutter, we have taken a look at some of Thursday’s most attractive European betting tips.
Thursday, April 30th
BST 20:00 Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Producing what was arguably a season-best performance last weekend as they stormed their way to a stunning 5-0 romp away at Sunderland, Nottingham Forest will be dreaming of a repeat display here.
Suddenly skyrocketing themselves away from a relegation scrap and sat firmly in the driving seat to maintain their Premier League status, Vitor Peirea’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high.
Extending on their iconic Europa League adventure this month as they came past Portuguese giants Porto thanks to a 2-1 aggregate win, the former Wolves boss has seen his squad gain plenty of plaudits.
Including a thumping 4-1 victory at home against a recently relegated Burnley last week, Forest are unbeaten in all of their previous eight consecutive appearances across all competitions (five wins, three draws).
It’s also worth highlighted, Thursday’s hosts have registered seven points from their last three Premier League meetings against Villa at the City Ground.
Left frustrated over the weekend as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat away at Fulham, Aston Villa will be seeking an immediate response when they turn their attention back to European duties.
Missing out on the chance to reclaim their spot in bronze medal position, Unai Emery’s men have shown some inconsistencies this calendar year.
However, regarded as a standout European contender over the coming weeks, the former PSG boss saw his squad made an almighty quarter-final statement this month.
Breezing past Italian outfit Bologna thanks to a stunning 7-1 aggregate win, Thursday’s guests will now be searching for some much-welcomed defensive grit.
In fact, Villa have registered just a sole clean sheet from their five appearances across all competitions since returning from March’s international break and they have mustered just a sole clean sheet on their travels since the end of November.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/5
20:00 Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace
With Oliver Glasner already announcing that he will be leaving Selhurst Park next month, it is no secret that he Austrian tactician is desperate to hand the Eagles an iconic piece of European silverware.
Coming past Italian outfit Fiorentina this month as they secured a 4-2 aggregate victory, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss finds his squad installed as the standout title contender.
However, failing to pick up any kind of momentum over the weekend as they slumped to a 3-1 loss away at Liverpool, Palace have struggled to find any real stability.
In fact, Glasner’s men have registered just a pair of wins from any of their last eight appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes and they should be braced for a tricky test when they travel to Poland.
Likewise, the Eagles have remarkably musterted just a single clean sheet away from Selhurst Park so far this calendar year.
Storming their way to the top of the Premier League standings and set to get their hands on a first domestic crown since 2021 over the coming weeks, the Ukrainian giants are enjoying what has been quite the purple patch.
Punching their Europa Conference League semi-final ticket earlier in the month as they came past Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar thanks to a 5-3 aggregate win, Arda Turan’s men certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-ho high.
Looking to claim what could be a crucial first-leg advantage on Thursday night, the Miners have also impressed with their free-scoring performances in the final third.
Last seen over the weekend securing a thumping 3-1 victory against Kudrivka, Shakhtar have notched at least a pair of goals in six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
It’s also worth noting, Shakhtar have seen four of their last five outings finish with both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Betting Tip: Both teams to score @ 10/11
20:00 Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg
Dragging themselves across the finishing line earlier in the month as they extended on their iconic Europa Conference League adventure thanks to a rollercoaster 4-3 aggregate win, Rayo Vallecano have cemented their spot as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages this season.
However, registering consecutive victories across all competitions on just a single occasion since the start of January, Thursday’s hosts are searching for some much-welcomed stability.
Despite mounting a dramatic comeback at home against Real Sociedad last time out as they clinched a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Spanish capital, Inigo Perez’s side have also shown some defensive struggles.
Including a 3-1 second-leg defeat in Greece on April 16th, Vallecano have shipped a trio of strikes in three of their previous four matchups across all fronts.
Likewise, the Little Thunderbolts have also mustered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last four Europa Conference League appearances.
Although Strasbourg might have watched now-former Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior leave the club back in January, Thursday’s guests have shattered plenty of records under Gary O’Neil’s guidance.
Making a welcomed return to winning ways last weekend as they secured a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Lorient, the ex-Wolves boss will be dreaming of a repeat display on foreign soil here.
Extending on their respective Europa Conference League adventure earlier in the month as they claimed a 4-2 aggregate win against German outfit Mainz, O’Neil’s side have gained a reputation for their lively outcomes.
Marking their return from March’s international break with another 3-2 victory against Nantes, Strasbourg have also won three of their last four showdowns on the road across all formats.
However, despite looking to claim a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Le Racing have shipping a pair of goals in their previous three straight matchups away from the Stade de la Meinau.
Betting Tip: Goal to be scored in both halves @ 4/5
Our Thursday European Accumulator:
- Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa – Both teams to score @ 4/5
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs Crystal Palace – Both teams to score @ 10/11
- Rayo Vallecano vs Strasbourg – Goal to be scored in both halves @ 4/5
Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with Vegas Land and pocket £61.85 if all predictions are correct.
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