Porto will finish the job against Villarreal
The Europa League semi-final second legs take place tonight and an all-Portuguese final in Dublin looks almost certain after Porto's 5-1 thrashing of Villarreal. Don't expect the favourites to ease off though...
Braga v Benfica
A 2-1 away first-leg loss in a European tie is generally viewed as a good result as it means that a 1-0 win in the return encounter will guarantee qualification, however Braga are [3.25] to reach the Europa League Final despite heading into the decider against compatriots Benfica in such a position.
Also in their favour is a streak of five straight home European clean sheets, and the fact that they have won on four of the last six occasions that they have hosted Benfica, including each of the last two.
Braga therefore appear a good bet to triumph at [3.0], but yet another shut out may prove beyond them given that Benfica have scored in their last 35 games in all competitions. As such, 2-1 at [11.0] and small stakes on either side progressing after extra-time at [30.0] and [21.0] respectively appeals.
Villarreal v Porto
Our suggestion to back over 3.5 goals in the first leg proved shrewder than even we anticipated as Porto celebrated a remarkable 5-1 triumph. It was the third successive Europa League match in which they hit five and renders their status as [1.46] tournament favourites difficult to dispute.
Something has to give this evening as Villarreal have won all seven of their home games on the continent, while Porto have a perfect record on their travels, and that is reflected by the betting being very close, though having won 14 on the spin, the visitors have to be preferred at [2.68].
Expecting plenty of goals looks like a shrewd strategy once again, especially as Porto have now been involved in seven straight fixtures with four or more goals. It's [2.56] for that streak to be maintained at El Madrigal.
A £10 double on Braga and Porto returns £64.10 using the Betfair Coupon...
Published: 5 May 2011
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