After a two-month break, the Europa League is back as teams look to progress through the qualifying rounds. Three Portuguese sides in the form of Sporting CP, Braga and Benfica are hoping to seal a place in the next round and continue their European adventure.
While winning a major European honour is big in itself, the fact that going all the way in the Europa League also hands the lucky team an automatic spot in next season's Champions League and the opportunity to play in Europe's elite competition.
Two of the three Portuguese clubs are at home in the first leg which will have them comfortably favourites, whereas Sporting CP are in such good form they are likely to advance past Young Boys.
Our latest European football accumulator tips
BSC Young Boys vs Sporting CP – BTTS & Sporting to win: (23/10)
Sporting CP were very impressive in the group stages last year finishing second and only three points behind table-toppers Atalanta. The Portuguese side scored in every single group stage clash in 2023 while only managing to keep a single clean sheet.
The Portuguese side only lost once in the whole group stages and shipped at least one goal in all but one match, therefore backing them to win while also both teams scoring is something to be seriously considered.
Young Boys only managed to win one match in the Champions League so have dropped down into the Europa League but with a very leaky defence and the pressure of playing at home, they could easily slip up on Thursday.
Benfica vs Toulouse – Benfica to win (-1 handicap): (1/1)
The Champions League appeared to be a step up too far for Benfica this season winning just one game which came against RB Salzburg who finished bottom of the group. However, with just one defeat in the league all campaign, they will fancy picking up some good form in the Europa League.
Toulouse, however, will not be easy opponents, especially over two legs. No team in the group stages this season managed to do the double over the French side, although they did ship seven goals in three away matches.
So, backing Benfica to win -1 and taking the advantage leading into a more difficult away second leg is very tempting. This market becomes more appealing when odds of 1/1 are being offered with bookmakers.
Braga vs Qarabag – Braga/Braga: (21/20)
Braga have experienced a rather miserable domestic season, so success in Europe could be a way to save their campaign. Qarabag have won just 14 games in the Europa League throughout their history, so Braga will be confident of avoiding a potential slip-up this midweek.
If Braga wish to put a statement down in the Europa League and show they are too good for this competition after dropping down from the Champions League, winning both halves against Qarabag would certainly go a long way to doing so.
It's certainly going to be an interesting midweek of action for some of Portugal's biggest clubs and you may wish to add all of the above tips into one accumulator.
If that's the case, then you would be able to get odds of around 13/1. This would certainly provide decent value given that all three of these clubs are the favourites to win this leg of the tie at the very least.
Remember to check out all of the other free betting tips that we have to offer.
