Europa League Betting: There could be goals galore in Germany

Wolfsburg are enjoying a rich vein of form

Our Europa League columnist Kevin Hatchard's picked out his best bets from three of Thursday evening's clashes, including a potential goalfest in Germany.

Wolfsburg v FK Krasnodar
Thursday November 06, 20:05

After a wobbly start to the season that could've cost coach Dieter Hecking his job at a more trigger-happy club, Wolfsburg are starting to really motor, which is apt considering they are funded by Volkswagen (I'll get my coat). The Wolves have won their last six matches in all competitions, including a 4-2 win against Krasnodar in Russia on Matchday Three.

Wolfsburg have plenty of players in form, with Kevin De Bruyne (three goals in four games), Ivan Perisic (three goals in three games) and Daniel Caliguri (four goals in five games) all regularly finding the net. If Wolfsburg had a striker capable of scoring 20 goals a season, they'd have the full package and be genuine Bundesliga title contenders.

Krasnodar are still in contention to qualify for the knockout phase, but they haven't won any of their three group-stage games, and another defeat here could be costly. Recent results will hardly give encouragement to travelling fans of The Bulls, as the team has won just one of the last six games in all competitions.

Wolfsburg will have to take this game seriously, as they still have matches to play against strong qualification rivals Everton and Lille, and I can see them repeating their heroics in Russia. There's also encouraging evidence which points to backing Over 3.5 Goals at 2.89/5. That bet has paid out in three of Krasnodar's last five outings, and three of Wolfsburg's last four.

Recommended Bets

Back Wolfsburg -1.0 & -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.0421/20

Back Over 3.5 Goals at 2.89/5

Legia Warsaw v Metalist
Thursday November 06, 20:05

After enduring the searing pain of missing out on the Champions League group stage because of an administrative blunder, Legia Warsaw have dusted themselves down and stormed the Europa League instead. Henning Berg's side have won all three of their group games 1-0, and another victory will see them book a place in the knockout phase with two games to spare.

Legia aren't just winning in this tournament. They are top of the Polish Ekstraklasa, having won nine of their first 14 matches, and they have put together a run of five victories in a row across three competitions.

Although they are far from watertight in the league (they have conceded 15 goals in 14 games), Legia are downright miserly in the Europa League. Including the two-legged playoff tie against Aktobe, Legia have kept clean sheets in all five of their UEL games.

Metalist have had a poor start to the campaign. They are eighth in the Ukrainian Premier League, and they are rock-bottom of their Europa League group without a single point to show for their efforts. They have scored just one goal in three group games, and in the home game against Legia they managed just two efforts on target. They have drawn a blank in four of their last six games in all competitions.

With Legia very solid defensively in the Europa League, the win to nil would appeal, but at time of writing there's no liquidity in that market. Therefore, I'm going to recommend backing the Legia clean sheet at a chunky 2.186/5. I think Legia will win against a Metalist side that's won just one of its last 11 matches, so I'm also happy to back the Polish side -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.111/10.

Recommended Bets

Back Legia to keep a clean sheet at 2.186/5

Back Legia -1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 2.111/10

Sevilla v Standard Liege
Thursday November 06, 20:05
Live on BT Sport 2

It's been a highly impressive start to the campaign for Sevilla, who have adapted well after losing stardust-covered playmaker Ivan Rakitic to Barcelona and rampaging full-back Alberto Moreno to Liverpool. The defending Europa League champions are fifth in La Liga despite the weekend's 1-0 defeat in Bilbao against Athletic Club, and they have made a steady start to the group stage of this competition, with five points collected from three games.

After Guy Luzon stood down as Standard Liege coach in October (he had no option after fans revolted during a home defeat to struggling Zulte Waregem), the Belgian giants' form has improved. Caretaker Ivan Vukomanovic has overseen a run of four clean sheets, including a 0-0 draw against Sevilla on Matchday Three.

There's certainly mileage in backing No in the Both Teams To Score market at 1.9210/11. Vukomanovic has tightened Standard up defensively, and Sevilla have kept clean sheets in three of their six home games in all competitions.

Recommended Bet

Back No in the Both Teams To Score market at 1.9210/11

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

Points Staked: 30

Points Returned: 36.17

P/L: +6.17 points