IT'S all about the Europa League tonight with four ties that while not finely balanced are certainly there for the taking for either side involved.
Chelsea go to Rubin Kazan, Benfica visit Newcastle and Fenerbahce travel to Lazio with two-goal leads while Basel and Spurs start level at 2-2.
I'll put up tips in the morning but my intial feeling is the last four will comprise Chelsea, Benfica, Basel and Fenerbahce.
Of those I'm most confident about Benfica and Chelsea. Basel-Spurs is a tough call and Fenerbahce deserve respect due to their fine away record but a visit to Lazio is never easy and an early goal for the Romans to change everything.
Post the four teams you think will qualify as a comment at the end of this article and everyone who is right will have their name put into the hat to win a £10 free bet with Ladbrokes.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Chelsea, Benfica, Basel and Fenerbahce. Ah, The old cut n ‘paste!
That’s to qualify. Last four as you say.
Crowman, yeah that’s to qualify.
HOME and AWAY DOUBLE
———————
focussing on Europa League action for our two picks today – and for our first selection, we’re off to Italy, where Lazio host Fenerbahce, looking to reverse a 2-0 defeat from their first leg tie in Turkey last week.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side will be disappointed with that result, and have left themselves with it all to do if they are to get their qualification hopes back on track.
But their form at the Stadio Olimpico is good, and they will take some comfort from a recent run which has seen them lose just two from 21 in front of their own fans.
Furthermore, the Biancocelesti are unbeaten in half a dozen Europa League outings on their own patch – and four clean sheets in that time shows that they are well capable of holding out their continental guests when necessary.
Two wins on the bounce ahead of this clash will have boosed confidence in Rome – and the hosts will know that an early goal would change the whole balance of this tie.
Visitors Fenerbahce are particularly strong on their own patch, having remained unbeaten in 54 of their last 57 domestic ties in Istanbul – and they will be delighted that they managed to make the most of home advantage last week.
The tie has swung strongly in the favour of the Turkish side, but I reckon that there is plenty more drama left in this clash, and just four clean sheets from 10 suggests that Aykut Kocaman’s side are likely to concede if put under excessive pressure.
With both sides having struggled to get a grip on the first leg clash, the game changed when Ogenyi Onazi was dismissed for the Italians – and Fener snatched two late goals – but this one was a lot tighter than the result suggests.
And with his side trailing Super Lig leaders Galatasaray by just four points, with a gruelling domestic run-in remaining, Kocaman could look to rest a couple of players for the return clash – which would leave the Turks wide open to a defeat here.
Bet 1: Lazio (HOME) @ 1.9
Switching out attentions to the Newcastle now, as they face Benfica at St James’ Park, looking to overturn a 3-1 deficit secured in the first leg.
Alan Pardew’s side took the lead in Portugal – but that happiness was short lived, and they soon suffered at the hands of Benfica’s incredible attacking quality.
And Jorge Jesus’ side will be full of confidence going into the return fixture, having remained unbeaten in their last 19 outings away from the Estadio da Luz.
Five clean sheets from their last six on the road shows just how difficult it will be for the Toon to get any respite from this tie, and having beaten Bayer Leverkusen and Bordeaux in their last two Europa League games outside Portugal, the Eagles will be desperate to maintain that impressive form here.
Saying that, Newcastle will go into this clash with a glimmer of hope, having notched a goal in the first leg – and six unbeaten at St James’ indicates that they are becoming increasingly hard to beat in front of their own fans.
But three goals conceded in their last four – in games against Southampton and Stoke City – shows that the Magpies defence is still suffering with those all too familiar weaknesses, and that could cost them dearly against such attacking opposition.
Bet 2: Benfica (AWAY) @ 2.6
Milesey ( betfair )
LAZIO chelsea basle benfica
strongly fancy lazio after a positive result in the derby on monday, despite a man down AGAIN. the last 5 games they’ve won 2 lost 2 and drawn 1 but every time they’ve dropped points they’ve finished wi 10 men in they 3 games. key to success – don’t get anybody sent off. I’ll post my bets tomorrow once I see klose on the team sheet, away to watch ‘the fall of the essex boys’ to see if its any good
Chelsea spurs lazio benfica
Chelsea, Lazio, Benfica and My team SPURS
Chelsea toon spurs Fenerbache
Chelsea, Benfica, Basel, Fenerbache
Newcastle chelsea lazio basel
Chelsea, Benfica, Basel, Fenerbache all to qualify
That 4-fold £10 wins £25 @ betvictor
Btts Chelsea vs kazan, Newcastle vs benfica, basel vs spurs.
possibly go over 2.5 and 3.5 as well
don’t have Ladbrokes account so Il just add my thoughts on a few anytime goal scorers
Marco Streller (Basel) @ 9/4 Stan James
Vladimir Dyadyun (Rubin) @ 23/10 Betvictor
Lima (Benfica) @ 19/10 Betvictor
Pierre Webo (Fenerbahce) @ 13/5 Betvictor
Didn’t read the post properly, too early and not enough caffeine.
Chelsea, benfica, basel and fenerbache to qualify
Chelsea, Newcastle, Lazio and Spurs to qualify.
Any European soccer tips today, that is apart from the europa league
Chelsea, Benfica, Lazio, Spurs
I had a big spiel all written out and deleted it like an idiot before I posted it so heres the short version
Single – CSKA – Ludogorets – over 2.5 goals @ 11/10
Single – Ludogorets DNB @ 6/5
_________________________________________________________
England Non League Treble pays just under 5/1
Newport – Guiseley – Halifax
_________________________________________________________
Alfreton – Tamworth 1st goal toss up
Clayton (Alfreton)@ 5/1 bet365 – anytime 13/10
Cunnington (Tamworth) @ 5/1 bet365 – anytime 13/10
Chelsea, Newcastle, Lazio and Basel.
benfica
chelsea
basel
fenerbahce
Chelsea spurs lazio benfica
both to score:
rubin – chelsea
basel – spurs
newcastle – benfica
super single:
lazio – fenerbahche >>Lazio winner<<
chelsea benfica basel and fenerbache to qualify
BENFICA CHELSEA LAZIO TOTTENHAM
chelsea, newcastle, spurs and fenbache
Chelsea,Newcastle,Lazio,Spurs
Going with Rubin, benfica and Basel to win tonight, all singles and maybe a treble!
Hurry up fixit were waiting!!!
DK, I’ll never be hurried. You’ll get the tips when they’re ready.
hi paul will u or milesey be putting darts tip up.
Steve, Milesey’s sent me some, just going to put them up now then finish off the top tips.
Chelsea, Benfica, Basel and Fenerbache all to qualify.
basle,benfica,chelsea,lazio. all 2 qualify.
chelsea
newcastle
spurs
lazio
There is no doubting Benfica may well go through. but Cisse always seems to score first. Bet fred are offering 5-1 that he does, and if he does score first,and scores one more or two. You get double delight and hat-rick heaven, where they double and treble their odds accordingly.Also fancy Frei for Basel at 6-1.
Chelsea, benfica, Basel and fenerbahce to qualify.
Chelsea to draw tonight, benfica, Basel and lazio towin tonight.
Benfica
Chelsea
Basel
Lazio
Chelsea
Basel
Lazio
Benfica
Chelsea, Basel, Fenerbahce and Benfica
Gary, your entry was the last to drop in time. Thought everyone would realise they had to be in by 5pm.
My super single today is the Newport vs Corby game. i’m going with Newport to win at 1.70
ha ha ha really ? you just made a game up ;) ;)
Newport v Macclesfield
Halifax V corby
Milesey
Haha, tennis bet i just lost is taking its toll, i’ve just bet the wrong game!! Wanted to go with halifax, don’t know where newton came from!
Newton isn’t playing either, he got relegated along with Anderson in the darts last week ;) ;)
Milesey
Just checked the stats. Newport isn’t looking bad at the moment. #supersingle lol
Lol, just seeing the ‘Newton’. Only Newton i know is Isaac
Im going for Marco Streller Anytime Scorer tonight @ 2.40
Hes Scored in 4 of the last 5 home games,interestingly the goals have come in the 90th minute 80th minute 90th minute & the 90thminute again which lead me on to my next bet of 2nd Half with Most Goals @ 2.05
Haha Newton sorry Newport won