The UEFA Europa League goes on this Thursday, April 5th, 2018, with the first leg matches of the Quarter-Finals, and the pleasure is guaranteed as Arsenal welcomes CSKA Moscow, Atletico Madrid hosts Sporting, Lazio faces Salzburg, while RB Leipzig meets Marseille in a derby of this round. All four matchups offer a lot of options to place the money on, so let’s see how to bet on the Europa League this week and beat some lines.
ARSENAL vs. CSKA MOSCOW
3-Way: 1: Arsenal -265; X: +385 Draw; 2: CSKA Moscow +830 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Arsenal +110; CSKA Moscow -125
Total +2.5: Over -125; Under +105
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- Arsenal has beaten AC Milan 5-1 on aggregate in the previous round
- Arsenal won four games in a row overall with an 11:1 goal difference
- Arsenal has a 3-0-2 record in the last five games at home
- CSKA Moscow has overcome Lyon on away goals in the Round of 16
- CSKA Moscow is unbeaten for four away games in a row in all competitions
- CSKA Moscow kept the clean sheet in four out of their seven matches in 2018
Arsenal’s only chance to play in the Champions League next year is to win the Europa League this season, so the first leg against CSKA Moscow is their most important game so far. The Gunners are huge favorites to win this clash, but the visitors are an experienced team who can make some damage on the counter-attack which promises an exciting game for the fans this Thursday. I will go with the hosts, as they need to prove on the pitch they are a better side than the Horses.
MY PICK: Arsenal AH -1.5 (+110)
ATLETICO MADRID vs. SPORTING
3-Way: 1: Atletico Madrid -333; X: +425 Draw; 2: Sporting +1125 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1.5: Atletico Madrid -105; Sporting -110
Total +2.5: Over -105; Under -115
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- Atletico Madrid has beaten Lokomotiv Moscow 8-1 on aggregate in the previous round
- Atletico Madrid won seven straight games at home overall without conceding a single goal
- Atleti’s previous four matches had more than two goals in the total
- Sporting has beaten Plzen in the Round of 16 after an extra-time in the second leg
- Sporting lost two away games in a row
- Sporting couldn’t keep the clean sheet in 16 straight tilts on the road
Atletico Madrid is a massive favorite to win the first leg at home, while Atleti are the biggest favorites to win the Europa League trophy at the end of the season, as the market on them is set at +125 at the moment. On the other side of the pitch will be Sporting who’s a good team, but the Lions doesn’t look capable of making an upset here.
MY PICK: Atletico Madrid AH -1.5 (-105)
LAZIO vs. SALZBURG
3-Way: 1: Lazio -140; X: +280 Draw; 2: Salzburg +415 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Lazio +130; Salzburg -150
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under -100
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- Lazio has beaten Dynamo Kiev 4-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16
- Lazio has a 2-3-0 record in the last five games overall
- Lazio couldn’t keep their net intact for six games in a row at home
- Salzburg has beaten Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate in the previous round
- Salzburg is undefeated for 35 straight matches in all competitions
- Salzburg conceded at least one goal in their previous four away games
After a surprising victory over Borussia Dortmund in the previous round, Salzburg will try to make another upset against Lazio who’s playing in a shaky form recently, so this matchup should bring a plenty of excitements. Lazio is certainly a favorite to reach the Semi-Finals, but they will need their best game to overcome the Red Bulls from Salzburg, while I expect to see some goals in this clash.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-130)
RB LEIPZIG vs. MARSEILLE
3-Way: 1: RB Leipzig -125; X: +270 Draw; 2: Marseille +370 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: RB Leipzig -130; Marseille +110
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under -100
Betting Trends and Match Prediction
- RB Leipzig has beaten Zenit Saint Petersburg 3-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16
- RB Leipzig is unbeaten for six games in a row overall
- RB Leipzig couldn’t keep the clean sheet in five straight tilts at home
- Marseille has beaten Athletic Bilbao 5-2 on aggregate in the previous round
- Marseille couldn’t keep their net intact in nine straight games in all competitions
- The previous six Marseille’s matches had at least three goals in the total
This is surely a derby clash of the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Finals, and while the Red Bulls from Leipzig are slight favorites to win the matchup, the bookies expect to see them on the top in the first leg in Germany. However, the Olympians are a strong team, and they certainly have something to say at Red Bull Arena, so I believe both sides will find the net here.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (-125)
