Europa League Betting: Bhoys to rack up another home victory against ailing Astra

Can Celtic make it two Europa League wins on the spin?

Our Europa League man Kevin Hatchard is back with his best bets from Matchday Three, and he fancies Celtic to continue their serene progress in the group stage.

Celtic v Astra Giurgiu
Thu October 23, 20:05
Live on BT Sport 1

While their Scottish title defence continues to have the odd misstep here and there (Accies, take a bow), it's a case of so far, so good for Celtic in the Europa League. Ronny Deila's men secured a more than creditable 2-2 draw against Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, and then they dug deep to beat Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 at Celtic Park. The resurrected Craig Gordon was once again outstanding in the Celtic goal, making a series of fine saves.

In theory, this clash with Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu should be Celtic's most straightforward of the section. Ploesti-based Astra did ever so well to dump out Lyon in the playoff round, but they might have used up all of their Europa League stardust over those two legs. They were pulverised 5-1 at Dinamo Zagreb, and then lost 2-1 at home to Red Bull Salzburg.

It's worth noting that Astra's decline isn't just restricted to the Europa League. They have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions, and that sequence includes 3-1, 4-1 and 5-1 defeats away from home. It's a run which cost coach Daniel Isaila his job.

Celtic are still to find the consistency they require under Deila, but they produced a fine 5-0 win at Ross County at the weekend, and should welcome back Kris Commons and James Forrest from injury. You could back Celtic outright at 1.715/7, but let's be greedy and boost that to 2.26/5 by backing them -1.0 on the Asian Handicap.

Recommended Bet

Back Celtic -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.26/5

Trabzonspor v Lokeren
Thu October 23, 18:00

It's been a strange start to the season for Trabzonspor. They have drawn four of their six games in the Turkish Super Lig, and their Europa League results have been a mixed bag. They secured an impressive 2-1 win at Metalist to kick off the group stage, but then lost 1-0 at home to a very good Legia Warsaw side. In truth, they were pretty unlucky against Legia, as visiting keeper Dusan Kuciak had a blinder and Sefa Yilmaz hit the woodwork. Trabzonspor coach Valid Halilhodzic let his frustration get the better of him, and was sent from the dugout.

While Trabzonspor haven't been piling up the wins, they've only lost twice this term, and it's worth examining their recent home record in this competition. In last season's group stage, the Black Sea Storm secured seven points from their three home games, and their only home defeat in last season's competition came against Italian giants Juventus. Trabzonspor have a talented line-up, with vastly experienced Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo partnering Abdul Majeed Waris in attack, and the clever Mehmet Ekici supplying the ammunition.

Lokeren are strong at home but are poor travellers. Long-serving coach Peter Maes (four years counts as long-serving these days) has masterminded just one away win in eight in all competitions this term, and Lokeren have lost both of their road matches in the Europa League.

Lokeren were beaten by a better side at the weekend, as they went down 3-1 at home to Club Brugge, and I suspect a similar fate will befall them on Thursday evening.

Recommended Bet

Back Trabzonspor -0.5 &-1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.01/1

Aalborg v Dinamo Kiev
Thu October 23, 18:00

I have to hold my hands up and say I underestimated Dinamo Kiev ahead of their trip to Rio Ave on Matchday One, and it's not a mistake I'll be making again. The Ukrainian giants swept to a 3-0 victory, with Andriy Yarmolenko and Younes Belhanda putting Dinamo in control in the first 25 minutes. Since then, Dinamo have made it two wins from two games by beating Steaua Bucharest 3-1.

Dinamo have won seven and drawn two of their league matches, and they recently edged out their big domestic rivals Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0. Former fans' favourite Serhiy Rebrov, who once turned out for both Spurs and West Ham, has made an excellent start to life as manager. He is yet to taste defeat, and he has masterminded six consecutive wins.

It's all a bit of a struggle for Danish outfit Aalborg at the moment. Kent Nielsen's side won the league and cup double last season, but they crashed and burned against APOEL in the Champions League qualifiers (they lost 5-1 on aggregate) and they started the Europa League group stage with a 6-0 shellacking at Steaua.

A 1-0 home win against Rio Ave has steadied the Aalborg ship, but that's their only victory in their last six games in all competitions. Aalborg are eighth in the 12-team Superliga, and it's tough to see them being able to resist a Dinamo Kiev side that is clearly a class above them.

Recommended Bet

Back Dinamo Kiev at 1.9310/11

Borussia Monchengladbach v Apollon Limassol
Thu October 23, 20:05

With Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke all dropping points like they are hot bricks, Borussia Monchengladbach have emerged as Bayern Munich's closest challengers for the Bundesliga title. With a massive game coming up against the Bavarians on Sunday, it's tempting to think Lucien Favre's men will be distracted, but I don't see it that way.

Favre has managed to put together a squad that has genuine competition for places in all departments. In attack Max Kruse and Raffael are the premier pairing, but Branimir Hrgota is pushing them hard. On the right Patrick Herrmann and Andre Hahn are having a titanic battle, while on the left Ibrahima Traore and Fabian Johnson provide a range of options. In defence there is flexibility too - Alvaro Dominguez, Julian Korb and Oscar Wendt have all shown they can cope with being part of squad rotation, while Martin Stranzl and Tony Jantschke form the bedrock.

Gladbach have drawn their first two games in the group stage, and this feels like a great opportunity to push on and grab that first win. Apollon have lost their last two away games 4-0, and their defending in general leaves plenty to be desired. Intriguingly, seven of Apollon's ten games this term have featured four goals or more, and if Gladbach's talented attack catches fire there could be another goalfest. The Foals have scored 25 goals in 13 games, and with players looking to impress, I expect them to chase a big win.

Recommended Bet

Back Over 3.5 Goals at 2.789/5

2014/15 Europa League P/L (1pt per bet)

Points Staked: 24

Points Returned: 27.38

P/L: +3.38 points