Viola can put in more convincing performance

Apoel v Athletic Bilbao
BT Sport ESPN, 6.00pm Thursday

Apoel got off lightly with their 3-2 loss away to Athletic Bilbao last Thursday but are likely to suffer in the return leg in Nicosia.

Bilbao dominated for long periods in the opening leg - winning the shot count 22 to three - but were stung by Yannis Gianniotas's late goal.

However, the Basques showed they are the better side and should finish the job with an away victory.

Recommendation
Athletic Bilbao
1pt 11-10 bet365, Betfair

Key stat
Apoel have lost their last five matches against Spanish opposition

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Ajax v Legia Warsaw
BT Sport Europe, 7.00pm Thursday

Legia Warsaw were involved in some crazy matches in the Champions League group stage - losing 8-4 at Borussia Dortmund and drawing 3-3 at home to Real Madrid - and they can play their part in an entertaining match at the Amsterdam Arena.

Last week's opening leg in Poland finished goalless but Ajax are usually much more attack-minded at home and should have the edge over Legia, who can be dangerous on the counter-attack.

Recommendation
Ajax win and both teams score
1pt 11-4 Hills

Key stat
Ajax have kept three clean sheets in 11 European matches this season

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Fiorentina v Borussia Monchengladbach
BT Sport Europe, 8.05pm Thursday

Fiorentina rode their luck during last Thursday's first leg 1-0 success in Gladbach but can put in a more convincing performance in Florence and ensure a comfortable passage to the last 16.

Gladbach remain in the bottom half of the Bundesliga after an inconsistent start to the year and have their work cut out against the Viola, who have sustained just one home defeat this season.

Recommendation
Fiorentina
1pt 16-11 188Bet

Key stat
Fiorentina have lost one of their 16 home games this season

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Take sides with Roman conquerors

Roma booked their place in the last 16 with a 4-0 romp in Villarreal last week and they can complete the double over the Spanish side, writes Steve Davies.

Coach Fran Escriba has taken a strong squad of 22 to Rome for the return but will be thinking about Sunday’s showdown with Real Madrid. He’s also without the club’s seven-goal top-scorer Nicola Sansone who pulled a hamstring in last Sunday’s narrow win at Real Sociedad.

Villarreal have not won on any of their previous nine trips to Italy and Roma are going to be hugely confident after last Thursday’s triumph.

Edin Dzeko, who bagged a hat-trick in that 4-0 success, will be looking to maintain his sizzling streak for a Roma side who have won five in a row and have won their last 11 home matches.

Back them on the Asian handicap at 24-25 (-0.75). Any Roma win will yield a profit. You win half your stake with a one-goal win and the lot with a win by two or more.

Recommendation
Roma -0.75 on Asian handicap
3pts 24-25 bet365

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