Matchday 1 of the Uefa Europa League gets underway on Wednesday night and we take a look at the clash between Betis and Notts Forest and Thursday's game between Aston Villa and Bologna
Note prices quoted are subject to change
Real Betis 12/10 Draw 26/10 Notts Forest 21/10
Betis were involved in the Conference League last season and they went all the way to the final where they were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea. They have taken 9 points from their first 6 mattches in the new La Liga season and their 3 home games delivered a 1-0 win over Alavez, 2-1 defeat to Bilbao and most recently they were 3-1 winners over Real Sociedad.
Forest's seventh placed finish in the EPL last season would have seen them play in the Conference League but Crystal Palace fell foul of Uefa rules and they effectively swapped competitions with Forest. Much has changed since then with Nuno replaced by Postecoglou in the early stages of the season. The new boss is still waiting for his first win after a 3-0 loss at Arsenal and Saturday's 1-1 draw at Burnley either side of a late collapse which saw them exit the EFL Cup at Swansea. After 5 rounds of EPL matches Forest are averaging 1 point per game.
The Verdict
With an expectant owner, a new boss and a return to Europe for the first time since 1995 Forest will be expected to make a bold show in a competition they are fortunate to find themselves in. There were signs at Burnley that they are getting to grips with the coaching change but Betis are no mugs. Still I'm siding with a much needed boost for Big Ange with Forest scoring twice.
Bets: Away Team totals over 1.5 at 16/10 with SuperSportBet
Note prices quoted are subject to change
Aston Villa 0.83/1 Draw 26/10 Bologna 32/10
Villa had a terrific run in the Champions League last season, winning 5 and drawing 1 of 8 League Phase matches to make the knockout rounds where they got the better of Brugge before giving PSG a scare in the quarter finals. Only goal difference denied them another crack at the UCL and there would appear to be something of a hangover from that disappointment as Villa have taken just 3 points from 5 EPL matches and are third from bottom of the standings. They scored their first league goal of the season in a 1-1 draw at 10 man Sunderland on Sunday and they also bowed out of the EFL Cup away at Brentford last week.
Bologna were in the UCL last season but they struggled in the League Phase and a record of 1 win, 3 draws and 4 defeats saw them finish 28th of 36. After 4 rounds of Serie A matches Bologna have 2 wins and 2 defeats against their name. They have lost both their road trips, at Roma and AC Milan by a 1-0 scoreline
The Verdict
IF there is a crumb of comfort for Villa then bar a 3-0 home defeat to Palace they haven't conceded many goals and I'll take a chance that they keep a clean sheet.
Bets: Bologna to score? (no) at 15/10 with SuperSportBet
Note prices quoted are subject to change