Europa League tips: West Ham and Rangers can keep title hopes burning

Atalanta vs RB Leipzig

5:45pm, BT Sport Extra 2

 If there is a game that a neutral should watch on Thursday, it is this clash between Atalanta and RB Leipzig, which promises to be a thriller. It is evenly balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, yet that did not tell the story of a thrilling match in which there was an xG of close to five.

 Both Atalanta and Leipzig have been noted for their involvement in high-scoring games. The hosts, for example, have seen eight of their 11 European games this season produce at least three goals. Leipzig, meanwhile, had been on a run of eight straight such matches in European play this term before last week’s draw bust that run.

 With a place in the semis on the cards, expect both teams to be offensively minded.

 Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.78

Barcelona vs Eintracht Frankfurt

8pm, BT Sport ESPN

Barca were made to dig out a 1-1 draw in Germany last week and are somewhat fortunate to be returning to Camp Nou on level terms after being outplayed.

With the visiting side’s season resting on the outcome of this match, they will doubtless be putting a good deal of energy into it, but they have not won any of their last five fixtures.

Barca, meanwhile, have been monstrous of late and even managed to win against La Liga strugglers Levante despite conceding three penalties at the weekend. They might have been held to a scoreless home draw against Galatasaray in the previous round but expect them to find a way to win this match.

Recommended bet: Barcelona @ 1.46

Lyon vs West Ham

8pm, BT Sport 1

Lyon may live to regret failing to see off West Ham in the first leg of this encounter, when they were held to a 1-1 draw despite dominating the fixture after their opponents had Aaron Cresswell sent off.

OL take a wounded squad into the return match at home and face a midfield injury crisis, with Thiago Mendes, Tanguy Ndombele and Houssem Aouar all facing a race to prove their fitness and Maxence Caqueret already out. They may be forced to dip into their youth team.

West Ham might have lost their last four on the road domestically, but the door is open for them to secure qualification in the Rhone Valley.

Recommended bet: West Ham to qualify @ 2.42

Rangers vs Braga

8pm, BT Sport 2

Rangers face Braga at Ibrox, seeking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of this tie, which was a close-fought affair that might have gone either way.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have won three of their last four at home in the Europa League – the exception a 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund – and have invariably found a way to rise to the occasion in continental competition on home turf in recent years.

Braga are stronger opponents than they were given credit for when the draw was made, but they have only won one of five on their travels in Europe this season.

If the hosts can get a head of steam up, it promises to be another great Ibrox night.

Recommended bet: Rangers @ 2.0

Recommended bets

 Atalanta v Villarreal Over 2.5 goals @ 1.78

Barcelona @ 1.46

West Ham to qualify @ 2.42

 Rangers @ 2.0