Aberdeen face a tough test in the Conference League on Thursday night as they welcome French side Strasbourg to Pittodrie.
Aberdeen missed a golden chance to claim their first victory of the league phase, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Armenian side FC Noah last time out, on an evening I landed a 13/5 winner.
That result leaves Jimmy Thelin’s men on just two points (W0-D2-L2), three points adrift of the playoff places.
However, the Dons’ domestic form has improved massively in the last couple of months, as they have won six and lost just one of their previous nine Scottish Premiership matches (W6-D2-L1) to move up to sixth in the table.
Strasbourg, on the other hand, have had an excellent league phase campaign so far, with Liam Rosenior’s men picking up 10 points from a possible 12 (W3-D1-L0) to sit joint-top with Samsunspor.
The Alsace outfit have won both league phase games away from home against Slovan Bratislava and BK Hacken, as well as winning 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace last time out.
However, Le Racing have been struggling in Ligue 1 in recent weeks, with their 1-0 defeat at Toulouse on the weekend being their third on the bounce and fourth from their last five.
How the bookies view it: Strasbourg favourites
Given both sides’ contrasting fortunes in this competition, it comes as little surprise to see Strasbourg favourites for this clash, with bet365 pricing an away success at just 4/6.
Bet365 have Aberdeen at 15/4 to claim their first win in this competition, whilst the draw is 29/10.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Thursday night will be the first-ever meeting between these two clubs.
Players to watch: Emegha to return with a goal?
Injuries and suspensions have meant Emanuel Emegha has featured just 11 times in all competitions this season for Strasbourg, but has still scored an impressive seven goals.
Three of those have come in Europe – including the equaliser against Crystal Palace last time out – and I like the 11/10 on offer at bet365 for the Chelsea-bound attacker to get on the scoresheet here.
Predicted line-ups:
Aberdeen are set to be without the injured duo of Kristers Tobers and Gavin Molloy.
Strasbourg will be missing the injured quartet of Maxi Oyedele, Karl-Johan Johnson, Saidou Sow and Abdoul Ouattara, but star striker Emmanuel Emegha returns from a club suspension.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Milne, Knoester, Lobban, Polvara, Aouchiche, Jensen, Armstrong, Keskinen, Lazetic
Strasbourg: Penders, Doue, Omobamidele, Sarr, Moreira, Mourabet, Doukoure, Chilwell, Enciso, Emegha, Panichelli
Anything else catch the eye?
Strasbourg’s matches in Europe have been full of goals, with their last five averaging 3.20 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score paying out in each of them.
Both Teams to Score has also paid out in each of Aberdeen’s three European contests at Pittodrie this season (2-2, 2-3 & 1-1), and a repeat pays an appealing 39/50 at Unibet.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
Over 2.5 Goals has also paid out in four of Strasbourg’s last five European encounters – including their previous three on the road (3-2, 2-1 & 2-1) – and a repeat pays 4/5 at Betfred, which also appeals to me.
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