Europa League & Conference League Betting Tips: Can Brighton, West Ham and Aston Villa seal top spot

The group stages of the Europa League and Europa Conference League conclude this week - here are our betting tips for a selection of games taking place across the continent on Thursday.

Union Saint Gilloise vs Liverpool

 5.45pm, TNT Sports 2

Liverpool must travel to Belgium just a few days before facing Manchester United, a fixture that will already be playing on Jurgen Klopp’s mind. Thankfully for the German, Liverpool are already through to the last 16 of the Europa League having wrapped up top spot in Group E. 

Union Saint-Gilloise have an outside chance of qualifying for the knockout round play-offs, although Toulouse are the favourites to finish second. Union will have to go on the attack and they should have some joy against what is likely to be a second-string Liverpool XI. The Reds will still pack a punch going forward, though.

Tip: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.84

Zrinjski Mostar vs Aston Villa

5.45pm, TNT Sports 1

Aston Villa have qualified for the knockout stage, but haven't sewn up top spot. A point will definitely be enough, but even a loss could be fine. Their Bosnian opponents will bow out of continental competition after this game, so they will be determined to go out on a high. 

Villa are much stronger at home than away, but they should still have too much quality for Zrinjski on matchday six. A clean sheet could be beyond them, though, especially if Unai Emery shuffles his pack as expected: Villa have not managed a shut-out on the road in any of their last five outings.

Tip: Aston Villa to win and both teams to score at 3.3

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Marseille

8pm, TNT Sports 2 

Brighton and Marseille will both be playing Europa League football in 2024, but this head-to-head clash will determine which of these two sides finishes top and goes through to the round of 16. The runner-up will face a Champions League drop-out in the knockout round play-offs. 

Marseille hold a one-point advantage at present, so Brighton must win if they want to finish top of Group B. The French side’s European assignments this season are averaging a remarkable 4.6 goals per match, so this promises to be a high-scoring encounter.

Tip: Over 3.5 goals at 2.38

Real Betis vs Rangers

8pm, TNT Sports 3

Real Betis and Rangers are in a delicate position heading into matchday six. Both teams can still finish first, second or third in Group C. If Slavia Prague beat Aris Limassol in Cyprus, Rangers must triumph over Real Betis to advance to the next round.

That will be tough. Real Betis have not lost at home all season in any competition, while Rangers have failed to emerge victorious from any of their four overseas trips in 2023/24.

Tip: Real Betis to win at 1.83

West Ham United vs Freiburg

8pm, TNT Sports 1

West Ham are level on points with Freiburg at the top of Group A. The Hammers won the reverse fixture in Germany and therefore hold a head-to-head advantage, so a draw here would be enough to send them through to the round of 16.

David Moyes is likely to name a strong side for this game. Jarrod Bowen is West Ham’s top scorer with nine goals in 16 appearances in all competitions, and we fancy his chances to get into double figures for the season on Thursday.

Tip: Jarrod Bowen to score any time at 2.60

Recommended Bets

Back BTTS and over 2.5 goals in Union Saint Gillose vs Liverpool @ 1.84
Back Aston Villa to beat Zrinjski Mostar and BTTS @ 3.30
Back over 3.5 goals in Brighton v Marseille @ 2.38
Back Real Betis to beat Rangers @ 1.83
Back Jarrod Bowen to score anything in West Ham v Freiburg @ 2.60