SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Thursday night's Europa League MD4 action involving Scottish clubs.
Rangers vs Benfica | Thursday 26th November 2020, 20:00 | BT Sport
This Europa League group match perhaps will be the Gers toughest test at Ibrox this season thus far. Domestically, remarkably they have yet to lose a goal at home, and indeed have only lost a solitary goal to Galatasaray at fortress Ibrox.
After drawing 3-3 in Lisbon, Steven Gerrard's hosts will be keen to keep the invincible home record going. Indeed. they are unbeaten not only all season home or away, but also in seven Europa League group matches over the past three seasons, and will doing their utmost to open up a three point gap at the top of Group D.
Benfica will be missing the suspended Nicolas Otamendi for this one, having been red carded in the previous group match between the two earlier this month. The Eagles could be in better nick, having only won one of their last four matches. Indeed they have lost their two most recent Primeira Liga games, conceding three goals in both – to Boavista and Sporting Braga.
The Teddy Bears will be along familiar lines, and they have a great record against Portuguese teams (unbeaten in 12 matches), so it is very difficult to go against them, especially when they are currently in such fine-fettle.
There will be no doubt be punters looking at the previously very-profitable ‘win to nil' angle – which is priced at 10/3. However, I will look to keep it simple with Rangers to win at 23/20 with Betfair.
Sparta Prague vs Celtic | Thursday 26th November 2020, 17:55 | BT Sport
Going into MD4 in the Europa League, Celtic currently sit bottom of Group H on one point – Sparta Prague have the three points they gained for the 4-1 hammering they gave the Hoops at Parkhead earlier in the month.
It really is a game that both will look to win as Lille and Milan at the moment are sitting in first and second spots in the group on seven and six points respectively. This clash in the LetnaStadium is one that I fancy quite strongly for goals. Here are some goal stats:
- Celtic's three Europa League matches to date have saw 13 goals scored.
- Likewise, Sparta's three Europa League matches have also totalled 13 goals.
- The ‘Tic's thirteen league matches to date have had 47 goals scored in them (3.61 ave)
- Vaclav Kotal’s hosts have saw a massive 52 goals scored in their last 13 Czech Liga games. (4 average)
- No clean sheet in the last 8 matches for Neil Lennon’s side. (Last one was 4th Oct away to St Johnstone)
- One clean sheet for the Prague outfit in their last 12 games.
So this match does scream goals, as both defences of late certainly haven't looked watertight to say the least, plus either club will see this as a must-win match if they want to have a chance to really progress in this competition.
My recommendations are: Over 3.5 Goals (15/8 BetVictor), Over 4.5 Goals (9/2 BetVictor) and Over 5.5 Goals (10/1 Unibet).
Best Bets
Rangers vs Benfica – Rangers to win (23/20 Betfair)
Sparta Prague vs Celtic – Over 3.5 Goals (15/8 BetVictor)
Sparta Prague vs Celtic – Over 4.5 Goals (9/2 BetVictor)
Sparta Prague vs Celtic – Over 5.5 Goals (10/1 Unibet)
