The Big Thursday Multiple: Italians to continue their relentless progress

Paul Robinson
17 August 2016

Everything is pointing towards a comfortable win for Sassuolo

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It's that time of the week where Paul Robinson selects a home win, an away win, a match to go over 2.5 goals and a match to go under 2.5 goals. Here are his selections:

- Back Sassuolo @ 1.57 (4/7)
- Back West Ham @ 1.72 (8/11)
- Back Over 2.5 Goals in Gent v Shkendija @ 1.57 (4/7)
- Back Under 2.5 Goals in Lokomotiva v Genk @ 1.61 (8/13)

The Multiple pays approximately 6.83 (6/1)

Bet 1: Sassuolo (HOME) @ 1.57 (4/7) - Live on BT Sport Extra

The Italians are one round away from qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League and that is some achievement given how far they've come in recent seasons.

Last year they enjoyed a magnificent campaign to finish sixth in Serie A - outperforming the likes of Milan and Lazio. They eased through the third qualifying round of this competition, largely in thanks to a 3-0 win on this ground and I expect more of the same this evening.

Their opponents are the Serbian outfit of Crvena Zvezda - or Red Star Belgrade to you and I - but this isn't the team of 1991 who won the European Cup.

They are still strong domestically, but they haven't cut much ice in European football for a long time and they usually go out before the group stage.

Bet 2: West Ham (AWAY) @ 1.72 (8/11) - Live on BT Sport 2

The Hammers suffered last minute heartache at Stamford Bridge on Monday but I expect them to gain some form of compensation in Romania this evening.

West Ham are emerging as a force to be reckoned with since the arrival of Slaven Bilic and now that they are in their new stadium, they should really go from strength to strength.

A trip to Romania won't be easy but The Irons will certainly be taking it seriously as they will be desperate for some big European nights at the Olympic Stadium.

Astra were beaten over two legs by Copenhagen in a Champions League qualifier a few weeks ago and while this is a lesser competition, their opponents now are arguably stronger.

Bet 3: Gent v Shkendija (Over 2.5 goals) @ 1.57 (4/7)

To Belgium now for what should be a goal-fest when Gent take on Shkendija at The Ghelamco Arena.

Gent are a class above their opponents and I wouldn't be surprised if they eased to victory in a similar fashion to how they dispatched of Viitorul in the previous round.

They racked up five goals in a first leg 5-0 win in front of their own fans and in the Champions League last season they finished as runners up to Zenit in a group that also contained Valencia and Lyon.

The Macedonians have never made it through to the group stage of the Europa League let alone the Champions League and they warmed up for this game with a 3-0 defeat to Vardar in their domestic league.

Bet 4: Lokomotiva v Genk (Under 2.5 goals) @ 1.61 (8/13)

They may have a very similar name but I don't expect the same kind of scoreline for Genk's Europa League qualifier as I do for Gent's as this one has under 2.5 goals written all over it.

The Croats are another team who often fall at this hurdle in Europe but they will surely put up a good fight having had to already get through three ties just to have a chance of making the group phase.

Genk have only had to play two rounds themselves and the pattern has been low-scoring affairs thus far. Three of their four fixtures have seen under 2.5 backers collect and their tactic will be to stifle Lokomotiva's attack and maybe snatch an away goal.

Recommended Multiple

Back Sassuolo @ 1.57 (4/7)

Back West Ham @ 1.72 (8/11)

Back Over 2.5 Goals in Gent v Shkendija @ 1.57 (4/7)

Back Under 2.5 Goals in Lokomotiva v Genk @ 1.61 (8/13)

The Multiple pays approximately 6.83 (6/1)

Multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

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