Thursday's Europa League qualifiers: betting preview, free tips & TV details

From 1pm Thursday

RoPS v Aberdeen
Premier Sports 1, 5pm

Aberdeen are one of three sides flying the flag for Scotland in the first qualifying round of the Europa League and they will be looking to hold on to their first-leg lead against RoPS when the sides reconvene in Finland.

The Scottish Premiership outfit were 2-1 victors last time out and are odds-on to do the double over their Veikkausliiga counterparts.

They carry plenty of attacking threat in former Manchester United striker James Wilson along with attacking duo Sam Cosgrove and Niall McGinn, who both notched in the first leg.

Aberdeen have enjoyed a strong start to the summer but it is worth noting they last kept a clean sheet in this competition in 2017 and RoPS will be looking for a distraction from their unimpressive league form.

The Finnish side have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven assignments but had their chances in the reverse fixture and backing both teams to score looks like a worthwhile punt.

Kilmarnock lock horns with Connah's Quay and the Scots are short-priced favourites. But the Welsh side were leading until the 82nd minute in the first leg and are well-versed in playing Scottish opponents, having made the Scottish Challenge Cup final last season. They could be worth backing at with a three-goal start on the handicap.

Daniel Candeias reminded Steve Gerrard of his potency with two goals in a 4-0 friendly win for Rangers against Marseille but the Portuguese forward is not in their squad for this week's Europa League encounter with St Joseph's.

While there is such fierce competition in the final third, a solid goalscorer bet could come in the form of defender Connor Goldson, who struck in both that friendly and in the first leg of their European tie.

Elsewhere, Shamrock Rovers play SK Brann, Cliftonville are in action against Haugesund, Cork lock horns with Progres Niederkorn and Crusaders take on Torshavn.

Recommendations
Both teams to score in RoPS v Aberdeen
1pt Evens bet365, Betfred

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Connah's Quay +3 goals on handicap v Kilmarnock
1pt 17-20 Betway

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C Goldson to score anytime in Rangers v St Josephs
1pt 5-1 Betway

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