Thursday’s Football Bet of the Day see’s me focus on the Europa League. I’m expecting Leverkusen to be too strong for Ferencváros and also goals at Ibrox.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Ferencváros
🇪🇺 Europa League
⏰ Thursday 16th September, 17:45
Bayer Leverkusen host Hungarian side Ferencváros at the BayArena on Thursday evening. After winning their group, Leverkusen were knocked out in the last 32 of last years Europa League by Young Boys. Ferencváros failed to make it back to back Champions League campaigns as they were defeated in the Play-offs also by Young Boys.
Despite taking the lead on three separate occasions, Leverkusen lost their first game of the season 3-4 to Borussia Dortmund in a game I correctly topped both sides scoring. Prior to that, Leverkusen had won two games on the bounce, scoring four goals on each occasion including a 4-0 win over European hopefuls Borussia Monchengladbach. Leverkusen won all three of their home group games in last years Europa League, banging in 14 goals.
Ferencváros won 0-1 against Honvéd to make it three wins in a row domestically after losing their first game of the season. After routine victories over Prishtina and Žalgiris, Ferencváros squeezed past Slavia Prague despite losing the away leg to reach the play-off round of the Champions League. However, Ferencváros came unstuck against the Swiss champions Young Boys, losing both legs 3-2. Ferencváros only managed a solitary point in last years Champions League, conceding a whopping 17 goals and losing all three away games.
Rangers vs Lyon
🇪🇺 Europa League
⏰ Thursday 16th September, 20:00
Rangers host Lyon at a packed out Ibrox on Thursday evening in the Europa League. Rangers reached the last 16 of the Europa League last season where they were ultimately beaten by Slavia Prague. Lyon were semi-finalists in 2019/20 Champions League where they lost out to eventual winners Bayern Munich.
After victory over Celtic in the Old Firm, Rangers came from behind to defeat St Johnstone 1-2 thanks to a James Tavernier stunner. That victory came at a cost however, as Fil Helander (who in my opinion in the leagues best defender) went off injured and is out for the “foreseeable future” however Connor Goldson is back. Rangers six home games in Europe were full of goals last season, with them scoring 13 and conceding 9. Both sides scored in four of those meetings, with them only failing to score once and keeping one clean sheet.
After failing to win any of their first three Ligue 1 games, Lyon come into this securing back to back victories. Lyon have only failed to score once this season and when going back to last season, Lyon have scored 19 of their last 20 away games. Lyon have struggled at the back though and do tend to leak goals. They’ve kept only one clean sheet this term, conceding 8 times.
Bet of the Day
Leverkusen have started the season well under new manager Gerardo Seoane and I’m expecting them to be too good at home to a Ferencváros side who don’t travel too well. Leverkusen score plenty of goals so I’m willing to add in them scoring at least twice. After slow starts to the season for both Rangers and Lyon, both sides are starting to hit form again. Goals were a feature in Rangers home games at Ibrox in the Europa League last year and I’m expecting both to net here. Peter Bosz is known for having sides who score plenty of goals but look rather suspect at the back.
- Bayer Leverkusen to win & over 1.5 goals
- Rangers vs Lyon – Both teams to Score
- Double Pays 5/4 (Boyle Sports)
In December 2020 we sadly 
