Europa League group predictions: Lazio should show their class

Free football tips, best group bets and analysis for the Uefa Europa League which starts on Thursday.

Best bets

Lazio to win Group F
2pts 10-11 bet365, Hills

Braga to win Group D
2pts 2-1bet365

Europa League group-stage preview

Roma are third favourites to win the Europa League behind Arsenal and Manchester United, but punters could benefit from keeping a close eye on their Eternal City rivals Lazio at the start of the group stage.

Maurizio Sarri's Eagles suffered their first defeat of the Serie A season at home to Napoli on Saturday, but they should have enough to win Group F, which contains tests against Feyenoord, Midtjylland and Sturm Graz.

The sight of their arch rivals claiming the Europa Conference League last term should spur them on and they can achieve more than just reaching the knockout stage, where they were beaten by Porto last season.

A win at home to Feyenoord in their first game will be key, but their Dutch rivals have seen an exodus of talent over the summer, including the departures of Luis Sinisterra to Leeds and Tyrell Malacia to Manchester United.

With that in mind, the Italians look the worthy group favourites with their chief rivals in transition.

Midtjylland finished third in their group last year before losing to PAOK in the Europa Conference League knockout stage and this looks tough for them as they have taken just nine points from their opening eight games of the Danish season.

Sturm Graz, who failed to win any of their group games last season, are also difficult to fancy.

Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and United are both odds-on to top their sections but better value can be found elsewhere, with Braga looking best placed to take the honours in Group D.

The Portuguese side reached the quarter-finals last year before they were knocked out by Rangers and they can get the better of their chief rivals Union Berlin, who took just seven points from six group games in the Conference League last season.

Braga scored 12 goals in their six group games last term and both of their defeats came through late penalties.

They have taken 13 points from their opening five league games of the season and striker Simon Banza has already found the target five times.

They should have too much for Union Saint-Gilloise, who were turned over by the Gers in Champions League qualification and play in the tournament for the first time, and Malmo, who are having an unusually mediocre season in Sweden and have won just one of their last five league games.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport