Europa League & Conference League Betting Tips: Can Ten Hag defeat Mourinho in Istanbul?

Thursday sees the return of the Europa League & Conference League, with Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea in action from England. Matthew O’Regan has tips for those trio of games, as well as two others that catch the eye. 

Europa League

Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United

Thursday 24 October 
Live on TNT Sports
Kick Off: 20:00

Manchester United head back to Istanbul 11 months after an enthralling 3-3 draw over Galatasaray. An equally hostile atmosphere awaits as they face Fenerbahçe at the Ülker Stadyumu. 

In that game, United goalkeeper Andre Onana played poorly, conceding three soft goals while also making four saves. The Red Devils tend to struggle away from under Erik Ten Hag in Europe, conceding three goals to Galatasaray and four to Copenhagen and Bayern Munich last season while also conceding three to Porto this season. 

On their European travels over the last four games, United have conceded an average of eight shots on target per game and 3.5 goals. Away from home this season in all competitions, Onana has made at least three saves in 4/5 games, with the exception being the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in which Villa had ten shots off target. 

Fenerbahçe, led by former United manager Jose Mourinho, will fancy their chances of troubling United.  This season, they are drawing an average of 3.57 saves per game from the opposition goalkeeper.

Prediction: Andre Onana over 2.5 Saves @ 1.70

Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar

Thursday 24 October
Live On TNT Sports 1
Kick Off: 20:00

Tottenham have started their Europa League campaign in positive fashion, beating Qarabag 3-0 at home as well as beating Hungarian champions Ferencvaros 1-2 away from home. They face their toughest test yet at home to AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands. 

Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have become renowned for their attacking play, averaging 2.25 goals per game in the Premier League – the second highest in the league. 

However, this forward-thinking approach has its drawbacks, as they can look vulnerable defensively. In all competitions, Postecoglou’s side have conceded in eight out of their 11 matches, keeping a clean sheet against a feeble Everton side, 10-man Manchester United and Qarabag, who accumulated 2.19 xG. 

AZ Alkmaar currently sit fifth in an extremely competitive Eredivisie. Only PSV and Feyenoord have scored more than Maarten Martens’ sides 18. AZ have also found the back of the net in eight of their 11 games this season and should pose a real threat to Tottenham in transition.

Prediction: Tottenham win and BTTS @ 2.62

Porto vs Hoffenheim

Thursday 24 October
Live on Discovery+
Kick Off: 20:00

Porto vs Hoffenheim looks set to be the most entertaining game in the midweek slate, as two free-flowing attacking sides face off at the Estadio do Dragão. 

Porto have entertained in the Europa League, opening with a 3-2 loss at Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt before drawing 3-3 at home to Manchester United. Rookie coach Vitor Bruno has his side sitting second in the league, winning seven games and losing just one. 

They’ve also scored 18 goals in eight league games for an average of 2.25 goals. In the Europa League, they have scored five goals and conceded six for an average of 5.5 goals. Five of their six home games have seen over 2.5 goals. 

After coming seventh in the Bundesliga last year, Hoffenheim have struggled this season as they currently occupy 14th. One thing has remained a constant, and that is goals. Last season, their games averaged 3.88 goals, and this season, their league games have seen 4.28 goals. 

Of their seven league games, six have seen over 2.5 goals. While none of their European games have seen over 2.5 goals, their 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland was unlucky not to see at least three goals, with both sides missing a host of chances. 

It should be an end-to-end encounter with both sides looking to take the game to the opposition. 

Prediction: Both Teams To Score and over 2.5 goals @ 1.93

Europa Conference League

Panathinaikos vs Chelsea

Thursday 24 October
Live on TNT Sports 1
Kick Off: 17:45

Under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have started strong and currently sit sixth. Away from home, the Blues have won three games and lost just once – coming in a controversial game at Anfield in which they lost 2-1. The only other goals they’ve conceded away came in a chaotic 2-6 win at Wolves. 

Their other two games saw them defeat Bournemouth 0-1 and West Ham 0-3 in controlled performances. They should dominate from minute one away at a Panathinaikos side sat in sixth in the Greek Super League. 

Diego Alonso’s side have been solid defensively, conceding just six goals while only scoring seven. Trifylli have struggled against the bigger teams in the league, failing to score against PAOK, AEK Athens and Olympiacos. 

With the sheer gulf in quality between the sides, Chelsea should be on course for their fifth clean sheet of the season. 

Prediction: Chelsea win and BTTS No @ 2.80

Larne vs Shamrock Rovers 

Thursday 24 October
Live on TNT Sports 4
Kick Off: 17:45

Northern Ireland meets the Republic of Ireland in what should be a feisty encounter in Belfast.

Larne are having to play this fixture at the International Stadium, Windsor Park, instead of at Inver Park. Tiernan Lynch’s side have failed to reach last season’s title-winning heights as this sits eighth but have many games in hand to play catch-up. 

Of their nine games, seven have seen under 2.5 goals, with their games averaging 1.88 goals. 

Shamrock Rovers are engulfed in an enthralling title race in Ireland, sitting two places and two points off leaders Shelbourne with two games remaining.  Stephen Bradley’s side’s games have averaged 2.38 goals, with 18 of their 34 games seeing under 2.5 goals, as well as their Europa Conference League tie with APOEL Nicosia that saw just two goals.

 With the magnitude of the game for both sides, coupled with the game being played at a neutral venue, it should be a cagey, low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.73

Recommended Bets: 

Back Andre Onana to make over 2.5 saves in Fenerbahçe vs Manchester United @ 1.70
Back Tottenham to win and Both Teams To Score @ 2.62
Back Both Teams To Score and over 2.5 goals in Porto vs Hoffenheim @ 1.93
Back Chelsea to win and BTTS NO in Panathinaikos @ 2.80
Back under 2.5 goals in Larne vs Shamrock Rovers @ 1.73