The Big Thursday Multiple: Europa League Special

This is what they're all playing for

With plenty of Europa League fixtures to choose from, Paul Robinson brings you a special, Big Thursday Multiple. Here are his selections:

Bet 1: Honka (HOME) @ 1.36 (4/11)  

Honka were beaten in the first leg of this tie last week but the scoreline was only 2-1 and they are still the favourites to qualify. The away goal is obviously one of the factors in that, but the fact is, they are a class above their opponents.

Shefki Kuqi's side may not be flying quite so high in their domestic league as they did last season, but it's a pretty tight division and just looking at their position can be a bit misleading.

Home advantage should prove decisive for the Finnish club as while opponents, Sillamae Kalev, won in Estonia and have had some good results lately, it's difficult to envisage them getting anything from their trip to Espoo.

Bet 2: Aberdeen (AWAY) @ 1.28 (2/7) - Live on Premier Sports at 17:30 BST

Our away win comes from Latvia as Aberdeen should extend their 5-0 first leg lead against Daugava Riga. The Scottish outfit completely dominated at Pittodrie and this tie is a bit of a mismatch.

Daugava Riga are faring much worse this year than they did in 2013 in the Virsliga and it's highly unlikely they'll be back in this competition next season. They've lost three of their last five competitive fixtures and not only did they concede five in Scotland, they shipped the same amount at Skonto at the end of June. 

There is the danger than Aberdeen won't have the motivation to win this match given the overall picture of the tie, however the truth is, they don't need to be anywhere near their best to win the game.

Bet 3: Bangor City v Stjarnan (Over 2.5 goals) @ 1.75 (3/4)  

Bangor City have a mountain to climb if they are to make the next round of the Europa League as they come into this game trailing 4-0. Two goals in the opening 16 minutes for Stjarnan effectively put the match to bed and the Welsh team's evening ended with the misery of a red card.

Neville Powell's men won't go out without a fight though and I expect the players to be well up for it from the start. There is no point in them playing for a 0-0 or the such-like and that should lead to goals at both ends.

Icelandic club, Stjarnan, are flying right now as not only are they on the verge of Europa League progress, they are currently second in the Urvalsdeild. The goals have been flowing in their domestic matches too as their last four have all gone over 2.5. Winning this evening's fixture isn't essential for them but they'll definitely get joy against the Bangor defence.

Bet 4: Aberystwyth v Derry (Under 2.5 goals) @ 2.0 (1/1)

We stay in Wales for our final selection as under 2.5 goals seems like decent value for the Aberystwyth and Derry match.

The hosts lost the first leg in Ireland 4-0 last week but they did have to play for nearly 70 minutes with 10 men. They were already 1-0 down at the time of the red card though, however they probably would have restricted their opponents to less than four goals if they had 11 players on the field.

Derry City finished fourth in the Irish Premier Division last season but they're already 15 points adrift of that place after 18 games of this one. The problem has been in front of goal for Peter Hutton's side as with just 17 scored, only Bray have a lower total. Their matches are averaging 2.17 goals each time and I expect another low-scoring affair this evening.

Recommended Multiple
Back Honka @ 1.36 (4/11); Back Aberdeen @ 1.28 (2/7); Back Over 2.5 Goals in Bangor City v Stjarnan @ 1.75 (3/4); Back Under 2.5 Goals in Aberystwyth v Derry @ 2.0 (1/1); The Multiple pays approximately 6.09 (5/1)

Multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

2013/14 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 46 pts
Returned: 78.23 pts
P/L: + 32.23 pts