Live on ITV, ITV4 & ESPN: Thurs 20.05: Spurs (2/5, bet365) and Chelsea can bag Europa League wins but Newcastle might find it tougher.
After beating Inter 3-0 in the first leg of the pair’s Europa League clash, Tottenham let their lead slip in the reverse fixture in Italy and needed an Emmanuel Adebayor strike in extra-time to book their place in the last eight.
This might be of some concern to punters ahead of Spurs’ quarter final contest against Basel but the performance of Andre Villas-Boas men at White Hart Lane in the previous round shouldn’t be overlooked and they look a safe bet to rack up another first league advantage this time around.
Bet365 make them 2/5 to prevail in front of their own supporters and while another 3-0 triumph is perhaps a bit of a big ask, a victory ‘to nil’, at 13/10 with Coral, isn’t out of the question and those feeling a bit more ambitious can tackle Betfred’s 13/2 for the hosts to notch twice without reply.
Also set to open their tie with a win on home soil are Chelsea, who host Rubin Kazan. The Blues are on a high following their FA Cup replay victory against Manchester United on Monday and although they haven’t exactly convinced at times in this competition, they’re decent enough value at 8/15 (William Hill) to put themselves in the driving seat against the Russian outfit.
Competing the trio of Premier League teams contesting the Europa League quarter finals are Newcastle but unlike their top flight counterparts, the Magpies might find themselves with a deficit to overcome after the first leg.
Alan Pardew’s charges go to Benfica, where they’re 1/2 courtesy of Ladbrokes to suffer a defeat but they’ve been tough to break down in the competition and demonstrated their resilience in the last round against Anzhi so they can at least keep it close to ensure they’re still in the qualification hunt back at St James’ Park.
Recommended Bets:
Treble on Tottenham, Chelsea and Benfica – 11/5 (bet365)
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