Europa League Betting: Magpies to progress, but don't expect a thrashing

Ryan Taylor's precious away goal has put Newcastle in control
Newcastle are firm favourites to reach the Europa League group stage, but Kevin Hatchard doesn't expect their opponents Atromitos to lie down and accept a beating.
Newcastle United vs Atromitos, Europa League playoff round 2nd leg, Thu 20:00 BST, Live on ITV4

Match Odds: Newcastle 1.392/5, Atromitos 12.011/1, the draw 5.04/1
Newcastle did well to come out of last week's first leg in Athens with a 1-1 draw, and they are unquestionably in pole position to win the tie and reach the group phase of this competition for the first time in six years. Magpies' boss Alan Pardew fielded a makeshift side that could have folded after conceding the opening goal, but a superb Ryan Taylor strike changed the course of the match, and the away side could even have won despite searing temperatures.
Atromitos showed that they are no pushovers in the first leg, and at the weekend they won their Greek Super League opener 2-0 at Kerkyra. However, Newcastle's exceptional home record over the past year suggests the Greek side will find Thursday's visit tough going. Pardew's men lost just three home games last term, and kept nine clean sheets in 17 Premier League games at the Sports Direct Arena. In their only home game this season, Newcastle beat a strong Spurs side 2-1.
Pardew is likely to field a weakened side, but he is still expected to select either Demba Ba or Papiss Cisse in attack. Unless Atromitos can nick an early goal, they will have to open the game up at some stage, and I suspect Newcastle have enough pace in their ranks - Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux could both start - to catch the visitors on the counter.
Given Newcastle's defensive record in front of their own fans, backing them to Win to Nil looks decent value at 2.111/10. If you're not keen on that, consider that Atromitos have conceded more than two goals in just one of their last 26 outings. That statistic suggests that Under 2.5 Goals is the way to go at 2.021/1.

Recommended Bets: Back Newcastle to Win to Nil at 2.111/10
Back Under 2.5 Goals at 2.021/1