Home of football statistics and historyThe first two rounds of matches in the 2024/25 Europa League have produced plenty of talking points, particularly for some of the bigger clubs.
They include Manchester United, who have drawn against Twente Enschede and Porto despite being the bookmakers’ ante-post favourites to win the competition.
Fans inclined towards betting may well decide the Red Devils are a risky betting proposition given their next game is a tricky visit to Fenerbahce.
Punters looking for an alternative option could consider playing live casinos here rather than risking a punt on Erik ten Hag’s underperforming team.
However, while United are worth swerving at the moment, there are several intriguing bets worth considering in the 2024/25 Europa League.
Frankfurt can bag a top eight finish
Eintracht Frankfurt won this competition in 2021/22, defeating Scottish Premiership giants Rangers after a penalty shoot-out.
They are currently rated as 22/1 shots to repeat the trick this term and could give punters a good run for their money if they continue their early-season form.
Frankfurt have picked up four points from their first two Europa League games and recently held Bayern Munich to a 3-3 draw in the Bundesliga.
Odds of 2/1 to finish in the top eight at the end of the league phase look good value and are guaranteed to be cut if they beat Latvian side RFS in their next game.
Ajax worth considering to win the league phase
The ‘league phase winner’ market is a tough one to predict, particularly given the quality of the teams towards the head of the betting.
They include Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Lyon, who each have a perfect record after the first two rounds of fixtures.
Looking a little further down the betting list, Ajax could be worth a punt at odds of 12/1 to claim top spot at the end of the league phase.
They have a couple of tricky tests in their remaining matches, but the make-up of their fixtures gives them every chance of staying in contention.
Lazio could progress a long way
The outright market is another tricky puzzle to unravel, and many bettors will focus their punting efforts on the Premier League’s pair of representatives.
Tottenham Hotspur head the betting after winning their opening two games, but their gung-go attacking style makes them a risky proposition.
Man United make zero appeal given their current form, although they could be of interest if they are able to rediscover their mojo over the next few months.
However, Lazio (10/1) have won their first two matches and are going well in Serie A. They have the attacking talent to cause teams plenty of problems.
Mourinho could work his magic with Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce have never previously reached a major European final, but that could change now serial-winner Jose Mourinho is their manager.
The Portuguese has a superb track record in UEFA competitions and will be eager to show he has still got the magic touch with the Turkish giants.
Mourinho’s side have picked up four points from their opening two games and will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds against Man United in their next game.
Odds of 10/1 to reach the final are a fair assessment of their chances and could give punters a good run for their money this season.
Home bankers can deliver a winning return
The bookies are yet to publish their Matchday 3 odds, but that does not prevent us from piecing together a tempting accumulator for the upcoming games.
Galatasaray, Frankfurt, Athletic Bilbao and Lyon all look banker bets to win their respective home fixtures on Matchday 3.
Each team has made a strong start to the 2024/2025 Europa League and face opposition they are strongly fancied to defeat on home soil.
Adding Anderlecht and Tottenham to make a six-fold may tempt more ambitious punters, although it often pays not to be too greedy with multiple wagers.
Over 2.5 goals market is worth exploring
Eleven of the 36 teams in the competition have been involved in games with over 2.5 goals in their first two outings this season.
On that basis, it could be assembling an accumulator involving some of those teams in the next round of matches.
The games at Galatasaray, Frankfurt, Porto and Tottenham all look primed to have goals and can form the core of a tempting over 2.5 goals six-fold.
Besiktas (at Lyon) and Lazio (at Twente) are also fancied to feature in games which hit that mark to complete what could be a productive multiple wager.
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