Europa League betting tips: Atletico Madrid v Arsenal and Salzburg v Marseille
Nick Hext is expecting Arsena's Europa League journey to end when they travel to Atletico Madrid for the second leg of their semi-final tie.
Europa League recommended bets
3pts Most goals to be scored in the second half of Atletico Madrid v Arsenal at 6/5
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Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1) (2005 BST, BT Sport 2)
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's farewell tour reaches Madrid on Thursday night and I think this will be the end of the Frenchman's last bid for a trophy.
The Gunners failed to make the most of Sime Vrsaljko's early red card in the first leg against Atletico as they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Antoine Griezmann's late equaliser cancelled out Alexandre Lacazette's effort to leave the advantage with the LaLiga outfit.
The all-important away goal gives Diego Simeone's men the edge and the Wanda Metropolitano has been a fortress this season.
Atletico haven't conceded in any of their three home games since dropping into the Europa League and just four goals have been netted against them on their own turf in LaLiga since August.
A run of 10 wins to nil in a row at home was ended by a goalless draw against Real Betis last time out at the Wanda Metropolitano. That though won't be worrying Simeone on Thursday night.
Atletico to win to nil at just under 2/1 will have plenty of takers but I reckon Arsenal will play to their strengths in attack.
The Gunners haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their previous seven outings, including both CSKA Moscow and Southampton managing a couple of goals against them, so it makes sense for Wenger to focus on pushing forward against Atletico.
Sitting back just won't work for Arsenal and 25 goals scored in their last 10 matches should provide the Emirates Stadium outfit with some confidence.
I reckon the action will really start in the second half so I'm going for the most goals to be scored after the break at 6/5.
This bet has been a winner in five of Atletico's last seven matches and four of Arsenal's previous five games.
Wenger know that the Gunners have to get an away goal to stand any chance of getting through. I fancy them to do that but it won't be enough to stop the tournament favourites.
Griezmann provides the main threat for Atletico.
The France international has netted 30 goals his season and has struck seven times in his last 10 matches.
There's 7/2 available for Griezmann to have the final word in this tie by completing the scoring in the second leg.
Score prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Arsenal (Sky Bet's odds: 8/1)
Best bet: Most goals to be scored in the second half at 6/5
Alternative bet: Antoine Griezmann to score the last goal at 7/2
Salzburg (0) v Marseille (2) (2005 BST, BT Sport 3)
Marseille are the odds-on favourites at 1/7 to progress from their Europa League semi-final tie against Salzburg.
The French club won 2-0 with home advantage in the first leg but there is reason for Salzburg fans to have some hope ahead of the return game.
Salzburg scored four goals in an incredible 20 minutes against Lazio to make it through from 5-2 behind on aggregate with only 35 minutes of the quarter-final tie remaining.
Sky Bet offered in-play odds of 33/1 for the incredible turnaround - read the full story by clicking on this link - and it's fair to say Salzburg's comeback is one of this season's biggest achievements in the Europa League.
Reaching the final would be another special chapter for the Austrian club.
I think they can make it an interesting evening for Marseille and I certainly wouldn't want to go heavy on the 1/7 for the favourites to go through.
Marseille's away form doesn't make great reading. Rudi Garcia's side have only won one of their eight Europa League games on the road this season, starting with a 0-0 draw at Oostende all the way back on August 3, 2017.
It would take a really poor showing for a two-goal advantage without conceding an away goal to not be enough. However, stranger things have happened in European football this season.
Look to Salzburg in the quarter-finals and Roma dispatching Barcelona in the Champions League for proof.
I'm going for goals after half-time as my best bet.
Sky Bet go 3/1 for three or more goals to be netted in the second half and I like that price.
Three of the last four Salzburg home games have contained over 2.5 goals in the second half and two of the previous four Marseille away match have enjoyed success in this market.
In-form Florian Thauvin could prove to be the difference for Marseille if Salzburg start to up the nerves for the visitors to the Red Bull Arena.
The former Newcastle winger has netted six goals in his last five appearances. Close to 2/1 is worth a look for another Thauvin goal in this contest.
Expect plenty of entertainment but not quite a repeat of the Lazio fairytale for Salzburg.
Score prediction: Salzburg 2-2 Marseille (Sky Bet's odds: 12/1)
Best bet: Three or more goals to be scored in the second half at 3/1
Alternative bet: Florian Thauvin to score at 39/19
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Posted at 1600 BST 02/05/18