Thursday's Europa League & Conference League predictions and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Thursday's Europa League and Europa Conference League third qualifying round second legs.

Where to watch

AZ Alkmaar v Dundee United
BBC Scotland & iPlayer, 8pm Thursday

Best bet

AZ Alkmaar to win to nil v Dundee United
2pts 4-5 BoyleSports

Thursday's football betting preview

Tannadice Park was rocking as Dundee United helped themselves to their biggest European result in decades with a 1-0 win at home to Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar last Thursday, but The Terrors know all too well that the hard work has only just begun.

Despite Jack Ross’s men winning the opening leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier with AZ, their Dutch hosts are as short as 3-10 to qualify at a home ground which proved a fortress last season.

AZ won 11 and drew three of their 17 Eredivisie matches at the AFAS Stadion last term and they were a perfect three from three in the group stage of this competition, beating Randers, Jablonec and CFR Cluj to nil.

Pascal Jansen’s side have started the new home campaign in similar fashion, recording an easy 2-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, and Ross may feel United's best ploy is to try and protect what they already have.

The opening encounter in Scotland was one of few clear-cut chances - AZ edged the shot-on-target count 4-2 - but the home side’s pressure should eventually pay off in the reverse fixture.

The Tangerines, meanwhile, were beaten 1-0 at home to Livingston on Sunday and, with 35-year-old Steven Fletcher leading the line, they still look a little short on firepower.

The Dutch outfit are fancied to qualify and are worth backing at a shade of odds-on to win to nil in 90 minutes.

There are two Irish representatives in the Europa Conference League but while Sligo Rovers appear to be heading out after last week’s 5-1 thrashing by Viking in Norway, hopes remain high for St Patrick’s as they lead CSKA Sofia 1-0 with a home leg still to come.

Tim Clancy’s men are 8-15 to qualify while the Bulgarian side are 11-8 to complete the comeback.

There is also home interest in the Europa League as Northern Irish champions Linfield travel to Zurich, but David Healy’s side are up against it after a 2-0 defeat at Windsor Park.

One match is also taking place in the EFL Cup, where Championship promotion hopefuls West Brom and Sheffield United lock horns at the Hawthorns.

The schedule slightly favours visitors Sheffield United, who have had two extra days to prepare, while the Baggies were frustrated in a 1-1 draw at home to Watford on Monday.

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