Thursday’s football tips: Expect a tight one as Roma head to Porto

There's not many glamour ties in the Europa League play-offs tonight but the one fixture that leaps out is Roma's trip to Porto.

Both teams have squads capable of going all the way in the tournament but one of them will crash out before the last 16.

The bookies reckon Roma will go through as they're still seventh in the outright betting at 18/1 while Porto are 25/1 shots.

But tonight's first leg in Portugal will be key and it will be fascinating to see how things pan out.

Porto vs Roma top betting tips

Porto's form is poor, with just one win in their last eight, but they're also unbeaten in their last four, with three draws and a win. Roma have picked up under Claudio Ranieri but they lost at Alkmaar on their last Euro away day so it's a tough one to call.

First legs in Europe can often be cagey so the half-time draw appeals at 21/20 with BoyleSports while under 2.5 goals is a bit shorter at 4/5.

We only saw four corners in Porto's last home Euro game as they lost 1-0 to Greek side Olympiakos. So it could pay to bet against corners here, although those odds aren't great as you have to go for under 8.5 flag kicks to get to 23/20.

AZ Alkmaar vs Galatasaray top betting tips

Galatasaray are another team who could go all the way in the Europa League but they face a tricky test in the play-offs against AZ Alkmaar.

The Turkish giants have yet to lose a domestic game but failed to qualify automatically for the last 16 in Europe after going winless in their final four games following a flying start.

Complacency maybe set in but they need to rouse themselves for this trip to the Netherlands. Going for goals looks the best bet for punters and combining BTTS with no draw pays evens at BoyleSports.

Keeping hold of star striker Victor Osimhen was huge for Galatasaray in the January window but he's suspended tonight. New arrival Alvaro Morata will probably replace him up but I'm more drawn to the 9/4 on offer for fellow forward Baris Yilmaz to score.

Osimhen is one of three Gala players suspended tonight and that shows they like to put the boot in. So the Turks appeal for most cards tonight at 5/4 with Bet365.

Molde vs Shamrock Rovers top betting tips

In the Conference League, Irish side Shamrock Rovers will be looking to continue a dream campaign by getting a decent results on the road at Molde.

Heading to Norway in the winter quite literally sends a shiver up the spine so it's no surprise to see Molde as 1/3 favourites tonight.

But Rovers lost just one of their six games in the league phase so they won't be overawed as they bid to defy the odds again.

They will also be looking to catch Molde cold as the Norwegians haven't played a competitive game for over a month due to their winter break.

It could take them time to warm up so backing most goals to come after the break looks good at 20/21 with BoyleSports.

Shamrock have lost star striker Johnny Kenny after he returned to parent club Celtic so that will make it harder for them to score.

But Molde's last Euro game at home was a 4-3 thriller with Mlada Boleslav, which makes BTTS and over 2.5 goals appealing at 11/8.

Thursday's Super Singles

• HT draw in Porto v Roma 21/20 Bet365
• Galatasaray most cards 5/4 Bet365
• Most goals second half in Molde v Shamrock Rovers 20/21 BoyleSports

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Racing tips

Cairnzy is hoping Mount Tempest can whip up a storm at Sandown in the Friday racing.

• Thursday’s Racing Tips – Mount Tempest holds strong claims at Sandown

As always, leave your own comments and tips below.

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