Thursday's Europa League predictions: Leipzig to build on strong Bundesliga form

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Thursday's matches in the Europa League round of 32.

Best bets

Leipzig to beat Real Sociedad
BT Sport Extra 2, 8pm Thursday
2pts 20-23 BoyleSports

Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals in Barcelona v Napoli
BT Sport ESPN, 5.45pm Thursday
1pt 21-20 bet365

Match previews

Since his arrival in December, manager Domenico Tedesco has turned things around at Leipzig, guiding the club back into the top four in a congested Bundesliga table.

Under the stewardship of the former Schalke man, Leipzig have won six of their last nine matches in all competitions and their only defeat this year came in a 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich.

And they can carry that form into Thursday's home clash against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

The Basque club are on the fringes of the European qualifying positions in La Liga but were humbled 4-0 by Real Betis in their last cup contest in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Form favours Leipzig, who are spearheaded by in-form Christopher Nkunku and they can take a lead in their round-of-32 tie with Real Sociedad by claiming a first-leg triumph at the Red Bull Arena.

The headline Europa League contest on Thursday could quite easily be mistaken for a Champions League tie and Barcelona's clash with Napoli should not disappoint.

Barca finished third in Group E in the Champions League earlier in the season but are making progress under Xavi and they can play their part in a high-scoring affair with the Serie A club.

The Catalan club's last four matches have featured a total of 16 goals and their attack should only be enhanced by the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Arsenal, while Napoli have fired 46 goals in 25 league contests this term.

Both these teams like to play on the front foot and a bet on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals could be the way to go.

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

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport