THE reign in Spain is mainly on the wane. Shock defeats for Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals ended La Liga's domination of Europe this season.
Attention now turns to the Europa League and there could be an all-Spanish final, with Sporting Lisbon the only side who can prevent that.
Atletico Madrid are almost there after beating Valencia 4-2 in the first leg while Athletic Bilbao start their home leg 2-1 down to Sporting.
So let's start with the game that's on a knife-edge. After winning away to Man Utd and Schalke it was a bit of a surprise when Athletic lost in Portugal.
Having said that Sporting are strong at home but interestingly have never won on Spanish soil in nine attempts in Europe.
A draw, of course, will see them through but I have to stand by Athletic who are a best 3-5 at William Hill and BetVictor to win on the night and 8-11 at Ladbrokes to qualify.
The problem is the Spanish are likely to concede and both sides have scored in six of their seven European ties at home. A seventh out of eight returns 8-11 (various).
So a 2-1 scoreline would force extra time and penalties are a possibility. If you're taking a side to win on pens back both sides in the shoot-out because it's a lottery as we witnessed in Madrid last night. To win on pens it's 35-1 Athletic with Paddy Power and 40-1 Sporting at Blue Square. Sporting are a biggest 6-5 with BetVictor to reach the Final.
There should be goals and the man to score first could be Fernando Llorente who has netted 23 this season. He is 10-3 at boylesports to break the deadlock and 10-11 (Coral) at any time.
Sporting's main threat will come from Ricky van Wolfswinkel who is 10-3 (unibet) to net and 9-1 at Ladbrokes to break the deadlock.
In the other tie a late strike by Ricardo Costa has given Valencia hope but they still need to beat Atletico by at least two clear goals to progress and that's asking a lot.
Valencia are 11-4 at BetVictor to qualify and 19-20 with William and Ladbrokes to win on the night.
However, Valencia have a remarkable record at home, losing just once in the Europa League back in 2002, while Atletico, a best 1-3 at Paddy Power to make the Final, haven't won a tie away from home in Spain.
Surprisingly the two La Liga meetings this season have produced just one goal, 1-0 to Valencia at home and 0-0 in Madrid.
The previous eight meetings between the sides saw both teams to score and I reckon there will be few tonight, especially as Valencia will need attack from the start.
So look at both to score at 4-7 with the likes of Ladbrokes and Paddy Power and over 2.5 goals at 8-13 at Ladbrokes.
Roberto Soldado is 9-2 favourite with Coral to score first (13-10, anytime) but I'm on Falcao at any time for Atletico. The Colombian has rammed in an incredible 27 goals in 27 Europa League ties and is 2-1 (Coral) to score at any time, 9-2 with BetVictor to grab the opener.
Falcao netted twice in the first leg and is 6-1 with Coral to score first and 2-1 at Coral to net at any time.
Recommendations
Falcao to score
(2-1, Coral)
Llorente to score
(10-11, Stan James, Coral)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Don’t forget if your backing Llorente for first goal they will refund losing first goalscorers if your player scores second. Money back special with Boylesports.
few tips for people that bet big
Kardemir Karabuk vs fenerbahce
fenerbahce to win both halves 10/3 bet365
ac horsens vs hb koge
horsens henrik toft to break the deadlock 9/2 bet365
Danny, cheers for the tips. I’ll have a look at them.
nae bother mr fixit dont actualy know why i said too bet big i have only got £5 on each would have been less if last nights game didnt go to penalties
Falcao cut to 11/8 with Coral. They can shove it at that price, may opt for btts in both matches instead.
MIGUEL’S THURSDAY TREBLE
Athletico Bilbao
HJK
Elfsborg
£10 bet returns £35.60
However, Valencia have a remarkable record at home, losing just once in the Europa League back in 2002, while Atletico, a best 1-3 at Paddy Power to make the Final, haven’t won away from home in Europe this season. ( A MADIRD WON AT BESIKTAS ) . all there games have been at home in the knockout so the jobs been done in madrid .
im going with bilbao and madrid double to qualify (11/10)
Callum, I’ve spoken to Scott. He meant to say “an away tie in Spain”. so I’ll edit it. He says he knew about Besiktas and they’ve also won in Hannover and Lazio and in the group stage.
did you have a look paul at the any GK to be booked. i see its 7 /2 again on both games tonight . i may give it a go.
im going big with bilbao and madird to qualify though 11/10 .
my run came too an end last night even though i said the score would be 2-1 madrid however i said they would win in extra time.
Callum, if you do it all the time it’s bound to happen once. I know Cech was booked but I’d like to see the stats before really getting involved.
Tips for todays football:
Llorente First goal 10/3 @ Boylesports (refunded if he scores second goal)returns £43.33 to £10 stake
Soldado First goal 4/1 @ Boylesports (refunded if he scores second goal)returns £50 to £10 stake
Llorente & Soldado anytime scorer returns £43.91 to £10 stake at Coral.
Thats mine for tonight. Any one know what or where i can find the odds for either chelsea or bayern to win on penalties cheers
Horsens -2 goals @ 16/1
26 Apr 2012 – Athletic Bilbao v Sporting Lisbon – Match Betting
Athletic Bilbao @ 8/15
26 Apr 2012 – Elfsborg v GAIS – Match Betting
Elfsborg @ 8/13
26 Apr 2012 – Valencia v Atletico Madrid – Both Teams To Score
Yes @ 8/15
26 Apr 2012 – Karabukspor v Fenerbahce – Match Betting
Fenerbahce @ 4/6
Stake : £5.00
Estimated Returns : £31.64
Andy, bet365 have Bayern 10-1, Chelsea 12-1. Every bookie will have it once they price up the match. Try Hills as they sent out match prices last night which were on the site.
Adrian @ 11/4Anytime GoalscorerOpen
Valencia v Atletico Madrid
Fernando Llorente @ 8/11Anytime GoalscorerOpen
Athletic Bilbao v Sporting Lisbon
Ragin, tried to put 50quid on bilbao and sporting to win on pens at 28/1 and 33/1 to get a message sayin maximun bet 17.85. Looks like i will have to pop into shop. Was goin to do same bet last night but bottled it. Prices were the same. Should of just done a 10er on each.
Lewis, who was that with? And don’t be raging unless it actually happens. They could have saved you money!
Tht was with coral. Thts the thing paul. Do i take as a hint not to bak it or a hint to go to the shop and bak it. We will find out later tonight.
Lewis, poor show from such a big firm to be honest. Bookies annoy me when they restrict stakes, especially on such a market like this, then try to claim to be one of the big boys. It’s really up to you. It’s a lot to put on a penalty shoot-out but as you say you can bet on it in a shop which makes their restrictions even dafter.
PAUL WON THE BONKER BET AT WEEKEND THANK YOU MY USERNAME IS buckie1967.
ONCE AGAIN THANKS HOPE I CAN ADD TO IT.
A think athletic bilbao half time full time whats the odds paddy power ????
Lewis! If your anything like me you’ll be putting it on tonight, even a smaller stake. I’d be thinking imagine it does come in, I’d generally be devastated lol.
llorente or van wolfswinkel and 2-2. 45/1 & 100/1
falcao or soldado and 2-2. 50/1 & 45/1.
also yankee on the darts
taylor 8-3
wade 8-5
barney 8-4
anderon 8-4
any thoughts on the darts tonight paul.
anderson being wrote off by alot of people bit he needs a win to stay in contention. been off form since his old man passed away but at 11/4 must be worth a few quid.
Craig, don’t really bet on darts but had a look at some of the tips and no one’s backing Anderson. By all accounts is nowhere near regaining his best form and that’s why he’ll be 11-4. I’d be on Adrian Lewis I think.
well done fenerbahce £21.75 for a £5 stake if only had rasied the stakes
hopefully luck carrys on a whole £10 on valencia to win both halves 9/2 william hill
Would not bet Anderson at darts think he has given up at the moment but you never know 11/4 fair price.
I know paul, couldn’t believe it. Thats the 1st time i have seen tht with them to be fair. Got the bet in shop at same odds but halved my stake. Its maybe coz i got 200 on falcao at 2/1 before the price was cut.
Paul did you have any joy with betfred ? Tried to put it on again tonight but they said doubles only so went to ladbrokes instead !
Craig, spoke to them again today, hoping for an answer tomorrow.
Waiting on Bilbao. Fingers crossed. Good luck lads.
Cheers Paul thanks for your help fancy it again tonight
Tell u what this week is testing the old patience as commentator said “its Bilbao throw” I was pressing bet spin spin spin no bet placed goal goes in, murder week.
well done valencia £10 down the tube
Genuinely wouldn’t be surprised to see Anderson win tonight, Lewis has been so inconsistent this premier league, even though he beat Taylor last week I think that was more down to Taylor relaxing instead of training the week before and it was by far Taylor’s worst performance. Anderson lost to Painter last week and hasn’t been the same player as he was last year and the death of his father has obviously distracted him from practicing also Lewis’ fast throw style will allow Anderson to get into a rhythm and hit big scores. Just as a safety net I’m backing Anderson in the draw no bet market at 9/4 with bet365.
Matt, what time’s Anderson due on? Also, you didn’t send me anything did you? If you did it’s stuck in spamland.
According to the reports on Eurosport Soldado could have had 2 or 3 goals already for Valencia and Valencia were denied a clear cut penalty in the 12th minute. Hope Soldado and Llorente score in the second half.
Chris, watching Llorente setting them up and not scoring them. Ladbrokes‘ half-time advert was 9-2 for Llorente to score next goal and I’ve had a nibble.
I didn’t unfortunately mate I’ve been major busy today with work then packing as me and the missus move house on Saturday so the whip was cracking to hard for me to get to the computer. It’s due on at around 9.30
Matt, no worries as long as I didn’t miss it.
Matt, good call on Anderson, draw is a big improvement for him.
Come on valencia. Have bilboa elfsborg fenebache and valencia 20 foursome
Damn! Is that madrids first shot on target?
2 quid roll up draw wade v painter draw barney v hamilton and btts in euro games tonight cmon Valencia score lol.
I am waiting on Valencia goal as well who says they don’t use tv evidence !
Fenerbache
Horsens
Elfsberg
Llorente anytime
Solado anytime
Solado letting me down!
Always 1 to save bookies arghhhhhhhhh.
That’s the treble up :)
Miguel, well done again. I put a lot of faith tonight in Llorente and luckily he came up trumps at the end.
Finally got a 3-1 up tonight afte barca and Madrid let me down! Thabks Big Llorente!
Well done Fixit, good to see how much it meant to the individual too… Deserved his goal tonight, When I see your earlier message I jumped also on the 9/2 so thanks for that :) nothing big but every little counts, my big bet was my treble was rather confident, HJK was the toughest call as it was trophy match but they pulled through well on the end.
Miguel, he’s a class act. Can see him at Barca next season especially if they take the Athletic boss.
what a game ae darts that was, against anybody else bar taylor anderson would’ve won that.
never even look at draws but think i’ll have to start after this yrs prem league. lewis unlucky not to get 9 darter too
good call on the draw no bet matt
Just a few tips for tomorrow incase anyone fancies adding them to their accumulators.
Romania Liga 1
Concordia Chiajna @Evens
Ireland Premier League
Drogheda United @11/10
Shamrock Rovers @8/13
Swedish Allsvenskan
Helsingborg @8/13
Good Night all :)
Think I’ll take one or two of those picks Miguel, you’ve non stop won since i saw you first posting on here haha.
Just fell at the right time Badham I suppose :) by all means its not a four fold just a few quick picks that I believe should win, I might even post another tip tommorrow dependent on how busy I am.
Miguel quick question, why do u think concordia will win?? They are playing the team directly below them. More or less same win loss draw… Any reason?? Cheers mate!!
Matt, it’s a good question and hopefully we’ll get an answer before it kicks off.
Ive tipped them mainly from Concordia’s form in the spring part of the league.
The team looks reborn and in the spring of the championship have a ratio of 6-1-2, which has seen victories against a very strong team, in FRC Cluj by 4-2 last time out,Rapid and Otelua.
This is very important meeting with a direct competitor to survive in the league.
Vointa Sibiu is certainly the lower quality team and they play based on defense and counter-attacks which will more than suit Concordia.
All in all, a victory fir Concordia pays very good odds of Evens and when you look at the form and the importance of the game, it has to be one for an accumulator at least. :)
Hope this helps you out Matt, I’m more than happy to help if you ever have questions :)
Miguel, I’ve always fancied being on Concordia so I’m taking your advice. I’d love to cover all these leagues but don’t have the time to do it properly.
Miguel, I’ve always fancied being on Concordia so I’m taking your advice. I’d love to cover all these leagues but don’t have the time to do it properly.
Conordia joke flew straight over my head ;)
Miguel, that’s the spirit. Your first pun and it’s a bad one. Well done.
Sorry I took so long I was asleep haha
Bilbao ht ft , bilbao 3-1 not bad but a must admit needed a big slice of luck
Everyone does sometimes Mitchell… Well done.
Cheers miguel !! Going to do the irish and sweedish pays out over 100 for a tenner and looks like a good bet, might have to give the concordia a miss though!! Cheers anyway mate
No worries Matt. I hope for both of us they win :) Good luck.
Thats some good info miguel. I will defo have a look. I dont have much knowledge of these leagues so its good to get a bit of insight. As i said before i like it when someone else does the research for me! :)
You seem to be on a roll miguel so had a touch on 4 trebles and an acca. Fingers crossed! :)
Good Luck Joe my friend :)
Good shout with concordia so far. 2-0 up!
With only 5 mins to go.
Heinsberg 1 up 25 in
Aww well. Back to drawing board
Sorry guys :( I’ll be back with a winning line the weekend.