Football | Wednesday, March 8, 2023 3:12 PM

Europa Conference League Best Bets: Picks for Five Matches From Europe’s Third Competition

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Europa Conference League Best Bets: Thursday, March 9th

The Europa Conference League is moving steadily and we have now reached the round of 16 with enormous fixtures to look forward to.

Some teams did manage to stage a comeback last time out and are in a vantage position to progress from the round. Before then we have the first leg of this stage’s action to come this week.
Here are the best value bets to go with ahead of the latest round of action.

In this article:

AEK Larnaca vs West Ham Preview

Thursday, March 9th, 17:45 (UK Time)

West Ham United have been poor in the Premier League all season but they’ll be looking to take a huge step towards reaching the next stage of the competition when they visit AEK Larnaca at AEK Arena on Thursday evening.

The Hammers are clearly the favourites to win this tie, but their recent poor form on the road in the Premier League could hunt them here once again. Cornet, Coufal, and Fabianski are out of contention through injuries but the Hammers still boast enough firepower to return to winning ways after last weekend’s bashing at Brighton.

AEK Larnaca vs West Ham Best Bet

The home side know the odds are against them, however, they will be aiming to build on the 3-1 win over Paralimni at the weekend. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs in a European competition.

The hosts know the current form of their opposition and will be keen to explore those weaknesses in order to usurp them on Thursday.

Selection: Yes on Both Teams to Score
Best Odds: 2.00 (bet365)
Stakes: 6/10

More AEK Larnaca vs West Ham Tips

Anderlecht vs Villarreal Preview

Thursday, March 9th, 17:45 (UK)

This clash looks like the biggest of the round and all eyes will be on Lotto Park when Anderlecht and Villarreal face off.

Anderlecht had to overcome a one-goal deficit in the previous round against Ludogorets, but there will be no margin for error when they face a Villarreal side starting to gain momentum. There are no major injury worries for the home side and they will be hoping that striker Islam Slimani will bring his league form – four goals in seven appearances – to the fore on Thursday.

Anderlecht vs Villarreal Best Bet

The La Liga side have found a bit of form and momentum in recent weeks after back-to-back wins over Getafe and Almeria. However, Quique Setien might be thinking of reshuffling his squad, but the visitors should still be strong enough to put up a show in Belgium. Fit-again striker Gerard Moreno is pushing for a start, and Samuel Chukwueze will be hoping to continue his imperious run of form in this first instalment.

Anderlecht have scored at least two goals themselves in four out of their last five home fixtures and I’m backing them to find the back of the net once again.

Selection: Yes on Both Teams to Score
Best Odds: 1.72 (bet365)
Stakes: 7/10

More Anderlecht vs Villarreal Tips

Sheriff Tiraspol vs Nice Preview

Thursday, March 9th, 17:45 (UK)

Giant-killers Sheriff will host Nice in the first leg of their Conference League round of 16 clash on Thursday. The Moldovans went to Belgrade and knocked Partizan out, having lost the first leg at home, but they face an uphill task in Thursday’s clash. They have simply overachieved by reaching this stage but they will be hoping to go a step further by also knocking the French side out.

Sheriff Tiraspol vs Nice Best Bet

Les Aiglons are in imperious form at the moment with wins over Marseille, Ajaccio, and Monaco in the French Ligue 1. Nice are expected to beat the Moldovan side and if that fails to happen, it will be tagged a shock. January signing Terem Moffi has found his rhythm in recent games and could be the difference in this contest.

Selection: Nice to Win
Best Odds: 1.85 (bet365)
Stakes: 7/10

More Sheriff Tiraspol vs Nice Tips

Basel vs Slovan Bratislava Preview

Thursday, March 9th, 20:00 (UK)

Basel completed their own comeback against Trabzonspor in the last 32, and they have the chance to move a step closer to the next round against Slovan Bratislava on Thursday evening. The Swiss side have been excellent recently, and they will be confident going into this first leg encounter.

Basel vs Slovan Bratislava Best Bet

Slovan Bratislava have struggled on the road, although they did beat Basel in this competition last season. However, I think they do not have enough firepower to repeat the same feat at St. Jakob Park on Thursday.

Taking all of the above into account, the Swiss giants are the favourites to take a win to the second leg next week.

Selection: Basel to Win
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 8/10

More Basel vs Slovan Bratislava Tips

Fiorentina vs Sivasspor Preview

Thursday, March 9th, 20:00 (UK)

Fiorentina will host Sivasspor at Stadio Artemio Franchi in the Europa Conference League last 16, first leg. The Viola have suddenly found their scoring boots and are on a three-game winning run in all competitions. Serbia striker Luka Jovic is pushing for a start after scoring as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Milan, which was a good preparation ahead of this game against the Turkish side.

On the other hand, the Turks have been handed a tough draw in the Conference League last 16 – from their own perspective. Nigeria forward Leke James, one of the team’s top marksmen, is widely expected to return to Sivasspor’s starting XI after scoring a brace on his return from injury and that should help his side compete favourably in Italy.

Fiorentina vs Sivasspor Best Bet

Goals could equally come in good fashion in this tie but if any side is to come out on top, the Italians are the more likely to win and take home a commanding lead ahead of the return leg next week.

Selection: Fiorentina to Win
Best Odds: 1.36 (bet365)
Stakes: 7/10

Odds via bet365 as of 10:00 March 7th 2023. Odds may now differ.

More Fiorentina vs Sivasspor Tips

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