Free betting tips: Europa League including MOL Vidi v Chelsea, Arsenal v FC Karabakh
The Europa League group stages reach their conclusion on Thursday night. Tom Carnduff has three best bets at 4/1, 9/1 and 16/1.
Recommended bets
1pt Georgi Milanov 2+ shots on target in MOL Vidi v Chelsea at 4/1
1pt Loic Nego to score anytime in MOL Vidi v Chelsea at 16/1
1pt James Tavernier to score anytime in Rapid Vienna v Rangers at 9/1
For advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
MOL Vidi v Chelsea
Group L, MOL Aréna Sóstó, 1755 GMT
Chelsea are already through having wrapped up top spot with five victories, although Vidi can find a way through if they better BATE's result.
Maurizio Sarri's men ended Manchester City's unbeaten run at the weekend, but a concern will be the fact that they have lost their last two away games.
It'll be a much-rotated side for the Blues given the fact their position can't change. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Antonio Rudiger, Eden Hazard, Cesar Azpilicueta and N'Golo Kante are among the first-team players not travelling.
That'll give the hosts a bit of hope as they look to secure an unlikely progression. I'd expect them to have opportunities to score given the situation and the level of opposition.
Georgi Milanov has provided an attacking threat throughout Vidi's European campaign and sits second for shots taken in this side.
He managed a shot on goal in their narrow defeat at Stamford Bridge, although he has had more success in their two home encounters in this competition.
Loic Nego was undoubtedly Vidi's star in that game with Kepa denying him on multiple occasions. In total, he managed four shots and should have found the net.
In total, he has hit the net on six occasions this season, adding a further eight assists. At 16/1 against a much-changed Chelsea side, it's worth taking the huge price on offer for him to score here.
They could have snatched a point in all honesty in the reverse fixture, and there is value in the best price of 29/20 available on Vidi-Draw in the double chance market.
Best bet: Georgi Milanov 2+ shots on target at 4/1
Best bet: Loic Nego to score anytime at 16/1
Opta facts
- MOL Vidi have hosted an English side in European competition just once before, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the 1984-85 UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg, before progressing on penalties.
- Chelsea won the reverse fixture 1-0 back in October, having four times as many shots as MOL Vidi (28-7).
- Chelsea are on a run of eight straight wins in the Europa League, last tasting defeat in the second leg of the quarter-finals in 2013, losing 3-2 against Ruben Kazan but progressing to the semi-finals (5-4 on aggregate).
- Chelsea have averaged the best passing accuracy (90.9%), highest possession (70%) and the most successful passes per game (665).
- Chelsea have attempted the most shots in the UEFA Europa League so far this season (118) but 35 teams have a better shot conversion rate than the Blues (8.5%), who have scored with just 10 of these shots.
Arsenal v FK Karabakh
Group E, Emirates Stadium, 2000 GMT
Like Chelsea, Arsenal are through and will progress as group winners due to their results against second-place Sporting.
They'll fancy their chances of going unbeaten in all six games, which would extend their undefeated run to a massive 22 in all competitions.
A point might be enough for the visitors to avoid finishing bottom given Vorskla's away tie against the Portuguese outfit, although you'd back Arsenal for another victory here.
The Gunners have hit at least three goals in each of their three games against the two teams who won't be joining them in the knock-out stages, and the value is there in backing them to do the same here.
A best price of 11/10 is available on over 2.5 Arsenal goals, which does look tempting given the track record so far.
On the goalscorer front, there could be value in the 7/1 available on defender Laurent Koscielny to find the net in this one. He returns to the side for what will be his first senior appearance of the season.
The hosts have taken seven corners in each of their two home games in Europe, which should present the centre-backs with plenty of opportunities to score.
The usual suspects are a short price given the opposition, so backing someone like Koscielny to strike here an avenue to explore.
Best bet: Over 2.5 Arsenal goals at 11/10
Opta facts
- Arsenal won the reverse fixture against Qarabag 3-0 on MD2, scoring with three of their four shots on target.
- FK Qarabag have lost all five of their meetings with English sides in all competitions, by an aggregate score of 1-17.
- FK Qarabag have lost six of their last seven games in the UEFA Europa League (W1), however that lone victory did come in their most recent away trip (1-0 v Vorskla Poltava).
- Arsenal have used 26 different players in the UEFA Europa League this season in the opening five matchdays – more than any other team.
- Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe has scored in two of his last three appearances in the UEFA Europe League, with the first of those coming in the reverse meeting against FK Qarabag in October.
Rapid Vienna v Rangers
Group G, Allianz Stadion, 1755 GMT
It's a winner-takes-all scenario in Austria as Rapid Vienna and Rangers battle for second spot.
Vienna currently hold the advantage as they sit a point ahead of the Scottish Premiership club, meaning that Steven Gerrard's men have to win if they are to reach the knockout stages.
It'll be a real test of records so far in this one given the fact that Rapid are yet to concede at home and Rangers are full of goals on the road.
They hit two in their opening game away at Villarreal while three wasn't enough as they were beaten 4-3 in Moscow.
You'd back them to find the net again given the situation, and James Tavernier represents terrific value at a standout 9/1 (Black Type) to score anytime.
"We believe Rapid will come out and attack us and we're expecting a positive performance with a vocal fan base behind them," said Gerrard ahead of the game.
"We don't expect them to sit deep and contain and look to spoil like (we've faced) in the last two matches. This game will suit us."
That should mean opportunities at the other end, and Tavernier has proven that he is a player who knows where the net is. The right-back has hit nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, one in each category in the Europa League.
Both of those came in their only win of the European campaign against Vienna at Ibrox. Rangers' designated penalty taker has had a lot of fortune from those situations and could be in a position to score again on Thursday night.
Best bet: James Tavernier to score anytime at 9/1
Opta facts
- SK Rapid Wien have lost all three of their previous meetings with Rangers, including a 13 defeat in the reverse fixture on MD2.
- Rangers have only lost one of their six previous meetings with Austrian sides (W5), though it was in their last such away game (0-2 vs Sturm Graz in October 2000).
- Rapid Wien have lost 22 UEFA Europa League matches since the competition was rebranded in 2009-10; more than any other side.
- Rangers have won just one of their last 19 away games in European competition (including qualifiers), a 1-0 win at Croatian side NK Osijek in qualifying for this season’s Europa League (D12 L6).
- Rangers’ 3-1 win over Rapid Wien at Ibrox in October remains their only ever victory in the UEFA Europa League since the competition was rebranded in 2009-10 (P9 W1 D6 L2).
Odds correct as of 0955 GMT on 13/12/18
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