Europa League Predictions 7th April
The Europa League returns on Thursday with the quarter finals featuring Benfica v PSV, Dynamo Kiev v Braga, FC Porto v Spartak Moscow and Vilarreal v FC Twente.
Portugal have a strong contingent of hopefuls in the last eight and are represented by some real contenders in this season’s competition. FC Porto are perhaps the most fancied side having already wrapped up the Portuguese title with highly rated Jose Mourinho prodigy Andre Vilas-Boas at the helm in his first full season in charge. FC Porto have an attacking trinity of Brazilian Hulk, Colombian Falcao and Portuguese winger Varela which have provided the lion’s share of Vilas-Boas goals both domestically and in Europe. Opponents Spartak Moscow have not started well domestically in the Russian Premier League losing 2 out of the opening 3 games. FC Porto should do most of the hard work on Thursday and will look to continue a particularly impressive season for both club and manager.
FC Porto to win @1.45
Competition tip – with Portugal well represented and with both Benfica and FC Porto having the advantage of a home draw in the first leg look to use a betting exchange such as Betfair for the Europa League Winning Nation market (Portugal are currently @1.95) with the option of trading out after a positive set of results particularly from Benfica and FC Porto in the Europa League quarter final first legs.
UPDATE AS OF 7TH MARCH 2011 AT 22:00: PORTUGAL AS THE WINNING NATION IS NOW AVAILABLE TO BACK AT 1.4 ON BETFAIR FOLLOWING WINS FOR PORTO, BENFICA AND AN AWAY DRAW FOR BRAGA.