The UEFA Europa League group phase continues this Thursday, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Group C matches. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and enter the action at Get More Sports.
Basaksehir (Tur) vs. Hoffenheim (Ger)
Three-Way: Basaksehir +280; X: +280 Draw; 2: Hoffenheim +129 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Basaksehir -128; Hoffenheim +125
Total +3: Over +104; Under -109
BASAKSEHIR
The Turkish vice-champions are in a tough position in the Europa League group C as they are at the bottom with just a points from the first three games, and they must win here or else will face the elimination. Basaksehir won the most recent match in the domestic championship against Akhisar Genclik Spor thanks to Marcio Mossoro’s goal in the 92nd minute that sent them to the 2nd place with three points behind Galatasaray.
Basaksehir played 17 games so far in the 2017/18, recording seven victories, five draws, and five losses, with a goal difference of 26:25, which is precisely three goals per contest on average. When it comes to matches at Fatih Terim Stadium, Basaksehir suffered only one defeat, and they failed to score in just one game, so I am expecting them to find the net on this one, especially because only a win will keep their Europa League hopes alive.
The Dutch left-winger Eljero Elia, the captain Emre Belozoglu, and the Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor are currently the team’s top scorers with four goals apiece, while Edin Visca and Marcio Mossoro scored three goals at the moment. The Brazilian right-back Junior Caicara is the most creative individual with four assists to his name, while Gael Clichy, Visca, and Emre contributed with three dishes each. Abdullah Avcı cannot count on the defender Aurelien Chedjou (fractured foot), Egemen Korkmaz (lack of fitness), Manuel da Costa, and Sokol Cikalleshi, who are all injured and unavailable for this clash.
HOFFENHEIM
The Germans are in bad form as they won only once in the last five matches, and that lone win came against Basaksehir in the Europa League. Hoffenheim is in the 7th place in Bundesliga, and they were eliminated out of the German Cup, so they must win on Thursday to stay in the contention for the UEL next phase. At the moment, they are in the 3rd position with three points, four behind the leaders Ludogorets.
Hoffenheim played 17 games in this campaign, recording six victories, four draws, and seven losses, with a goal difference of 26:26, which is 3.05 goals per contest on average. They are struggling in the away matches lately, losing three out of the previous four and this visit to Istanbul will be a massive test for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
The striker Mark Uth is the team’s leading scorer with seven goals in 15 appearances, while Sandro Wagner with four, and Nadiem Amiri with three are tracking him on a goal-scoring chart. The Croatian international Andrej Kramaric and Kerem Demirbay are the best assist-makers with four dishes apiece, while Wagner added three assists to his name. Julian Nagelsmann will be without a key player Uth who suffered a thigh injury in the last game against Borussia Monchengladbach. He also cannot count on Robert Zulj (osteitis pubis), Serge Gnabry (thigh), Stefan Posch, Ermin Bicakcic (cruciate ligament strain), Adam Szalai (muscle), and Havard Nordtveit (knee).
Basaksehir (Tur) vs. Hoffenheim (Ger) – Match Prediction
The Turks must attack the visitors and go for the victory, but Hoffenhem will certainly have enough chances to score as well, so I am going with goals here.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (+104)
Ludogorets (Bul) vs. Braga (Por)
Three-Way: Ludogorets +116; X: +250 Draw; 2: Braga +309 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Ludogorets +112; Braga -118
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -130
LUDOGORETS
The Bulgarian champions are the surprising leaders of the Europa League group C with seven points from the first three matches, one more than Braga, and four ahead of Hoffenheim. Ludogorets made an upset in Portugal when they defeated Braga 2-0, and that victory put them in a commanding position prior to this clash. The Eagles have been in a sensational form of ten consecutive wins, and are without a loss in the Europa League, while they are five points clear of CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian Parva Liga.
Ludogorets played 26 games this season, recording 18 wins, five draws, and three losses, with a goal difference of 53:18, which is 3.11 goals per contest on average. When it comes to matches at Ludogorets Arena, the Eagles are without a defeat, and the Portuguese side will have a mountain to climb to get to three points here.
The Romanian forward Claudiu Keseru is the team’s top scorer with nine goals in 20 appearances, while the left-winger Vura with seven, the Brazilian Wanderson with six, and Jordy Lukoki and Marcelinho with five apiece are following Keseru on a goal-scoring chart. Lukoki and Keserua are also the most creative individuals with six assists to their respective names, while Marcelinho has four dishes at the moment. Dimitar Dimitrov is delighted to have nearly entire team healthy and ready to go as only the goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov is out with a patella rupture and is unavailable for this encounter.
BRAGA
The Archbishops are in good form as they suffered just one defeat in the last ten matches, and it was against Ludogorets at home so that they will be looking for revenge on Thursday night. Braga is currently in the 4th position in the Portuguese Primeira Liga with seven points behind Porto, while they are second in the Europa League a point fewer than the Bulgarians. Braga didn’t concede in the previous two games, and they scored in nine of ten.
Braga played 20 games in the 2017/18 season so far, recording 14 victories, two draws, and four losses, with a goal difference of 35:22, which is 2.85 goals per contest on average. The Archbishops are without an away defeat in the last five outings, scoring in each in the process, and the Bulgarians will face a huge test to keep their net intact here.
Dyego Sousa and Paulinho are the team’s leading scorers with five goals at the moment, while Ahmed Hassan and Fabio Martins are right behind them with four goals apiece. The right-back Ricardo Esgaio is the best assist-maker with seven dishes to his name, while Fransergio and Jefferson added four assists each. Abel Ferreira has numerous injury-related concerns prior to this tilt as he cannot count on the defensive midfielder Mauro (ruptured knee ligament), goalkeeper Marafona (knee), defender Lazar Rosic (collarbone fracture), Wilson Eduardo (thigh), while Nuno Sequeira is doubtful with a knee injury.
Ludogorets (Bul) vs. Braga (Por) – Match Prediction
The Bulgarians are in a slight advantage, but I don’t think Braga will end the game scoreless as it was the case two weeks ago, so I am backing both teams to find the net on this one. Ludogorets could be satisfied with a point here, but they will certainly try to win and qualify for the knockout phase of the Europa League.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-103)
