EUROPA LEAGUE THURSDAY: The Ultra previews FENERBAHCE v MANCHESTER UNITED and TOTTENHAM v AZ ALKMAAR both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
FENERBAHCE V MANCHESTER UNITED
8pm Some Europa League Thursday nights are more interesting than others! We have a huge night ahead on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE as Jose Mourinho clashes with Manchester United again as they travel to take on Fenerbahce. While all eyes might be on the fixture in Turkey, we also have Spurs in action too as they host AZ Alkmaar. I have to say, not many football fans would have been expecting the news that Jose Mourinho was off to Turkey when the Fenerbahce story broke, but Mourinho has definitely gone towards passion in recent years. He knew he’d get bucket loads of that in Turkey! The Roma fans absolutely adored him too, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy being back in the spotlight against Manchester United. Erik ten Hag might be in for another difficult evening; he has to face daily questions about his job and facing an ex-manager is always going to be a talking point. United did manage to grind out a 2-1 win at the weekend to ease the pressure a little; the drama from that game was how they went 1-0 down just before half-time with Matthijs de Ligt forced off the pitch with a blood injury just before Brentford score.
Despite all the fanfare, Fenerbahce are only sitting in fourth in Turkey at the moment. They have a game in hand on league leaders Galatasaray, but they are eight points behind which is a lot at this stage of the season. The gulf in class between the sides is quite big, but as we know it’s very difficult to trust this United side – especially away from home. We have one of the most open batting heats of the Europa League this week here. Manchester United are favourites at 2.42 with Fenerbahce 3.0 and the draw is 3.8 at the time of writing. While United have been the butt of many jokes already this season; there are some positive signs. Their average xG conceded in the Premier League is only 1.29 which is down a lot on last season, and they have the sixth best attacking figure but they aren’t taking those chances which is leading to their average results at the moment. From that point of view, I wouldn’t be against them here given Fenerbahce haven’t been setting the world alight. It will be interesting to see what tactics Mourinho employs here, but we usually see goals with United – a mistake at the back is never far away! Over 2.5 goals is tempting at close to 1.7, but I feel the best value option here is the draw at 3.7 – you wouldn’t be surprised to see a 0-0 (Mourinho parks the bus) or a 3-3 to be honest!
The Ultra Says:
One point win Draw at 3.8 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/FenMun
TOTTENHAM V AZ ALKMAAR
8pm We finish Thursday night with Spurs hosting AZ Alkmaar, and with home advantage this is a game that Spurs will be fully expected to win. They come into the game as the odds on favourites at 1.47 with AZ Alkmaar 7.2 and the draw is 5.3 at the time of writing. It will be interesting to see what kind of XI Ange Postecoglou decides to name here – we have seen pretty big drifts on Spurs in the build-up to their Europa League games. They’ve had no problems winning both games against weaker opposition, and although I expect them to get the job done again here – it is my plan to keep stakes limited before seeing the team news, and then you can look to increase them if you’re happy with the starting XI. Much like Manchester United in the above game, Spurs have already been the butt of many jokes this season – Ange Postecoglou became a meme standing there after they had lost 3-2 to Brighton after being 2-0 up. Postecoglou did a few interviews when they came back from the International break, and he basically doubled down on his views on football and how it should be played. Looking at the under-lining numbers, he has to stick to his guns.
As things stand, Spurs might be sitting in seventh in the Premier League but they have an average xG created of 1.94 which is the second best attacking figure at the moment. Only Manchester City have created more chances in the Premier League. Spurs have also been solid at the back – their average xG conceded is only 1.05 which is the second best defensive figure in the Premier League – again only behind Manchester City. Spurs might have dropped plenty of points already, but they are playing better football than Arsenal and Liverpool at the moment on bare figures. I know the reality is that something “Spursy” is never far away, but Postecoglou has to just keep going – look how long it took Klopp at Liverpool, then Arteta at Arsenal. You can see Spurs going down the right road at the moment; unlike the situation at Manchester United for example. With home advantage, Spurs look a very nice bet at 1.47 – I’m going to keep stakes low however as I am worried about team selection, so one point feels the right stake before seeing the team news.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Tottenham to beat AZ Alkmaar at 1.47 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/TotAza
