Thursday’s football tips: Half-time draw looks good at 11/10 as Porto battle Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest stand just 90 minutes away from a semi-final on their return to the European arena but still need to finish the job at home to Porto tonight.

Forest were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup on their last foray into continental competition 30 years ago.

But they are favourites to go one step further in the Europa League this season after battling out an excellent 1-1 draw in Portugal last week.

Nottingham Forest vs Porto top betting tips

What was even more impressive about last week's result was the fact Nottingham Forest emerged unscathed despite resting most of their best players for their Premier League relegation battle.

Of the team that kicked off, only Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo were regular starters so it will be interesting to see what kind of line-up Vitor Pereira picks tonight.

There was little between the teams in the first leg and the return could be cagey so I like the half-time draw at 11/10 with William Hill.

Porto should field their strongest available side, even though they're in the midst of an epic title race with Sporting in the Primeira Liga.

Wingers William Carvalho Gomes and Borja Sainz are both 5/6 for a shot on target and adding those two bets together pays 164/100 at Bet365.

Aston Villa vs Bologna

Aston Villa's Europa League form has been hugely impressive this season and they should seal the deal at home to Bologna in their quarter-final tie tonight.

A 3-1 victory last week in Italy has seen Villa plant one foot in the semis and they could face Nottingham Forest in an all-English affair.

Bologna need to score at least twice if they're to stand any chance of going through so this should be an open game as they go for it.

An early Villa goal would kill the tie stone dead but I still fancy BTTS and over 2.5 goals, which pays a decent 17/10 at BOYLESports.

Morgan Rogers has hit a dip in form for Villa and it's now 12 games without a goal for the England international. But the big European stage could bring him back to life and the forward is 21/20 at QuinnBet to score or assist.

Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace are in an even stronger position than Aston Villa as they lead Fiorentina 3-0 heading into the second leg of their Conference League quarter-final in Italy.

Ismaila Sarr's late clincher last week at Selhurst Park has given the Serie A side a mountain to climb and it's hard to see Oliver Glasner's side conceding three times.

Fiorentina will have a go backed by a partisan crowd and I'd imagine the Eagles will sit back and look to hit on the attack.

The Italians could become demoralised if they fail to get a first-half so I'm going to bet against a goal in each half at 19/20 with 888Sport.

Crystal Palace will be looking to avoid suspensions and that makes backing Fiorentina for most cards another decent option at 6/4 with Bet365.

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Super singles

• HT draw in Nottingham Forest vs Porto 11/10 William Hill
• Morgan Rogers goal or assist 21/20 QuinnBet
• Goal in each half for Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace? No 19/20 888Sport

Upcoming match previews and betting tips

• Thu 20:00 Aston Villa vs Bologna
• Thu 20:00 Nottingham Forest vs Porto
• Thu 20:00 Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace

Racing tips

Rizzel is on a nice run for winners and has a pick for Hereford today as he bids to stay on a roll.

• Thursday's Racing Tips – New and improved version of Sherborne can continue to roll

As always, leave your own tips and comments below.

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