Thursday’s football tips: Try a 20/21 Benfica bet as they bid to pile on the Euro pain for Hearts

It’s a big night for SPFL Premiership clubs in Europe and the Europa League clash between Benfica and Heart of Midlothian takes top billing.

The Jambos have been written off by the bookies, which is understandable given they were thrashed 6-0 on aggregate by Sturm Graz in the Champions League qualifiers.

But if Wouter Vrancken’s men can keep the score down in Lisbon tonight then they might just have an outside chance of springing a massive shock back at Tynecastle.

Benfica vs Heart of Midlothian top betting tips

Benfica lost 2-1 to St Galen in Marco Silva’s first competitive game but turned the tie around in style back in Lisbon as they eased to a 5-0 win.

The Eagles are a Champions League club playing in the second-tier competition so this is one of the toughest ties Hearts could have landed.

That’s why Bet365 make the Portuguese side 1/9 jollies tonight, with the Scottish side rank outsiders at 16/1.

It’s tough finding value at those prices but backing a Benfica win with between two to four goals is decent at 20/21.

Vrancken is known for playing progressive football but this may be a night where he opts for a more defensive outlook. That makes under 2.5 Hearts corners another option at 5/6 with Bet365.

Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Rangers

Rangers are also on the road in Europa League qualifying tonight but have a less daunting task against Jagiellonia Bialystok in Poland.

Derek McInnes is the latest manager embarking on an Ibrox rebuild and has some work to do after an underwhelming 1-1 draw at Dundee United in their SPFL Premiership opener.

But Bet365 still make Rangers 4/11 to come out on top across two legs against the Poles and they’re also favourites tonight at 5/4.

Jagiellonia have started the new Polish season with two successive victories so their tails will be up and I fancy goals at both ends tonight.

BTTS pays just 8/11 with Bet365 but if you add on over 2.5 goals it boosts the odds to a decent 5/4.

McInnes made his Aberdeen and Hearts sides a big threat from set pieces so I also like the evens on offer at the same firm for over 9.5 corners.

HJK Helsinki vs Motherwell

Alfred Johansson has got his Motherwell reign off to a flying start and will be looking to keep up his perfect record in tonight’s Conference League clash with HJK Helsinki.

The Steelmen were expected to see off Torshavn in the last round but still impressed as they won both legs against the team from the Faroe Islands.

Motherwell then won 2-1 at Easter Road in their SPFL Premiership opener and their winning goal was a thing of beauty as they sliced Hibs apart on the counter attack.

HJK Helsinki are a step up in class from Torshavn but Motherwell will still fancy their chances and Bet365 make them 4/7 favourites to march on.

A win in Finland is less clear cut for the bookies, with the Steelmen 8/5 outsiders in Helsinki and the home win paying 7/5.

This is another game that promises goals at both ends as Johansson plays out from the back and attacks like predecessor Jens Berthel Askou. Combining BTTS with over 2.5 goals takes you to 21/20 at Bet365.

Super singles

• Benfica win and between two and four goals 20/21 Bet365
• Over 9.5 corners in Jagiellonia vs Rangers evens Bet365
• BTTS and over 2.5 goals in HJK Helsinki vs Motherwell 21/20 Bet365

Upcoming match previews and betting tips

• Thu 17:00 Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Rangers
• Thu 20:00 Benfica vs Heart of Midlothian

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