Europa League & Conference League Betting Tips: Can Roma end Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run?

We are now left with the final four in all the European competitions, with teams battling out for their respective finals. De Rossi’s Roma have surged into the semi-finals but face their sternest test yet as they play an unbeaten Leverkusen side who have made a habit out of scoring late goals. Marseille host an Atalanta side who shocked Liverpool. In the Conference League, we should see goals galore as Aston Villa host Olympiakos and Fiorentina host Club Brugge.

Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen

Kick Off: 20:00

Despite trailing until the 89th, 96th and 97th minute of their last three games, Bayer Leverkusen have remarkably maintained their unbeaten run with late equalisers. Xabi Alonso’s side are still on course for an unprecedented invincible treble but will have to overcome a resurgent Roma side first. 

Roma have been ruthless under Daniele De Rossi, winning 12 of his 19 matches in charge. A 4-1 aggregate demolition of Brighton and a 3-1 defeat of AC Milan has seen them qualify for the semi-finals. This season, their 41 goals conceded in 34 league games has shown their defensive fragility. 

Leverkusen have been relentless all season. A huge aspect of their incredible unbeaten run is their resilience, with Xabi Alonso’s side scoring numerous last-minute goals to salvage results. In fact, an incredible 43/46 of their games have seen them score in the second half. 

On top of this, their games have seen at least eight corners in 33 games. This has landed in 30/48 Roma games, including their last eight. 

We should see Roma take the initiative and start on the front foot, looking to attack Bayer Leverkusen and take a positive result to the Bay Arena fortress. This should see plenty of corners in front of a passionate home crowd. However, Leverkusen excels in transition so will look to hit Roma on the counter. 

Prediction: Over 0.5 Bayer Leverkusen Second Half Goals & Over 7.5 match corners @ 1.94

Marseille vs Atalanta

Kick Off: 20:00

Despite coming second in their Europa League group, Les Phoceens have managed to progress to the Semi-Finals after dispatching of Shakhtar Donetsk, Villareal and Benfica. Gabonese veteran striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has been imperative to this. The 34-year-old is the Europa League’s top scorer this season, bagging ten in 11 games. 

Per 90 in this competition, he is averaging 1.06 goals, with an xG of 0.56 per 90. His shot volume is also high, averaging 3.49 shots and 1.59 shots on target per 90. Aubameyang has also impressed in the league, scoring 14 goals in 27 starts.  

While Atalanta were excellent in their 3-1 aggregate victory over Liverpool, Marseille sensed an opportunity to get some goals to take into the second leg. If they do find the net, Aubameyang is the most likely candidate. 

Prediction: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Score @ 2.34

Aston Villa vs Olympiakos

Kick Off: 20:00

Aston Villa dramatically secured a semi-final place by edging past Lille on penalties. A 2-1 victory at Villa Park was followed up by a 2-1 loss at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with Matty Cash’s late goal salvaging a result for Villa.  

Their recent second-half crumble against Chelsea was indicative of Villa’s defensive issues, with the Villans only keeping three clean sheets in their last 17 games. Emery’s side have also scored in their last ten, boasting an impressive goal-scoring record. 

With 73 goals scored and 52 conceded in 35 league games, their games are averaging 3.57 goals. 24/35 (69%) of their Premier League games this season have seen BTTS – the third highest in the league. 5/6 of their group stage games and both knockout games against Lille also saw BTTS, with Emery’s high-octane style taking precedence over defensive stability. 

In addition to this, boisterous goalkeeper Emi Martinez is injured/suspended for this match, meaning Robin Olsen takes the gloves. The Swedish keeper conceded two in 45 minutes against Chelsea, four against Manchester City and one against Legia Warsaw in his last three. 

Olympiakos have seen BTTS in half of their league games, including their last four games. Thrylos group games saw an average of 4.16 goals. Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side also played out an entertaining 5-7 aggregate win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the previous rounds.

Prediction: Both Teams To Score @ 1.93

Fiorentina vs Club Brugge

Kick Off: 20:00

Fiorentina needed extra time to scrape through Viktoria Plzen in the previous round, with the Czech outfit proving hard to break down. However, previous games in this competition for Viola have seen a flurry of goals. 

Vincenzo Italiano’s side scored 14 and conceded six  in the group stages, only keeping clean sheets against a Cukaricki side that scored just two goals from their six games.  The last 16 clash against Maccabi Haifa saw Fiorentina edge through an entertaining affair 5-4 on aggregate. 

10 of their 17 league games at Artemio Franchi Stadium have seen BTTS - a high number for a notoriously low-scoring league. 

Club Brugge are on a fine run of form, having won their last seven games on the bounce, including both legs against PAOK.

22/36 of Brugge league games have seen BTTS, with Blauw-Zwart scoring 19 in nine games under new manager Nicky Hayen. 

Club Brugge look to take the initiative in every game and Thursday should be no different. Expect both teams to look for goals in an entertaining affair. 

Prediction: Both Teams to Score @ 1.80

Recommended Bets:

Back Over 0.5 Bayer Leverkusen Second Half Goals & Over 7.5 match corners @ 1.94
Back Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Score in Marseille vs Atalanta @ 2.34
Back Both Teams To Score In Aston Villa vs Olympiakos @ 1.93
Back Both Teams To Score in Fiorentina vs Club Brugge @ 1.80