The Europa League returns to our screens on Thursday, with 18 matches on the programme. There's plenty to hold your interest, and on this page, we focus on the game from the Netherlands. Flashscore's Frank Monkhouse offers his Feyenoord vs Aston Villa preview and predictions.
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As soon as the dust settles on the Champions League fixtures, we turn our attentions to UEFA's second competition - the always competitive Europa League. The season enters its second week with Panathinaikos starting in pole position following a strong win last time. There's all to play for, and with some of Europe's biggest teams in action, an exciting night awaits residents of Planet Football. We cover the match at De Kuip.
Feyenoord hold home advantage over Aston Villa, with Robin van Persie's team desperate to make it count. The Club on the Meuse lost their opening game, placing pressure on the locals to get things right the second time around. Aston Villa claimed a narrow win on matchday one and know six points from a possible six would see them take a huge step towards the knockout rounds. Will Thursday's winner represent the Eredivisie or the Premier League?
Flashscore's football writer and sports betting expert Frank Monkhouse offers his Feyenoord vs Aston Villa preview and predictions. He guides you through the stats and trends, analyses the head-to-head, injury news, and recent form, before settling on his bets. Continue reading for suggestions on how to beat the bookies in Rotterdam.
Feyenoord vs Aston Villa tips
Aston Villa win @ 29/20 (bet365)
Both teams to score @ 7/10 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Rivals will deliver goals
Armchair fans tuning into the action on game night two hope to see plenty of goals at De Kuip, and I'm confident they'll get their wish. Our first bet on Feyenoord vs Aston Villa is for the match to produce two or more goals. With this wager, you're gambling on both teams combined. That means a 2-0 home win pays the same as a 1-1 draw. More than one goal results in a profit for bettors, regardless of who scores or which team wins.
Feyenoord lost 1-0 at Sporting Braga in their opening game. Most football fans expected van Persie's side to enjoy a perfect start, but they were edged by a decisive strike from Fran Navarro near the end. They did win at the weekend, notching a 1-0 away win over Groningen after finishing 3-3 with AZ. Their league stats show that Feyenoord have played seven games, scored 15 goals, and conceded only four.
Aston Villa opened their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win over Bologna at Villa Park. Scotland's John McGinn made the difference with a crucial goal on 13 minutes, and that was enough to bank the English side all three points. In the EPL, the visitors beat Fulham 3-1 at the weekend, after drawing 1-1 with Brentford and Sunderland. I expect Villa to continue their scoring ways in Thursday's outing.
Tip: Over 1.5 goals @ 2/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If this match ends with more than one goal scored, your bet wins.
Back Villa to win
Our second bet in Rotterdam is for the visitors to upset the home support and leave with all three points. We're backing Aston Villa in the match-winner market, meaning an away win by any scoreline lands you a profit. Bet on Villa to win, and a 1-0 win from a last-minute goal means the same as a 6-0 victory for the Villans. If Aston Villa win, you win. But if the match ends in a draw or Feyenoord wins, you lose your stake.
Aston Villa haven't started the season as well as they would've hoped, but they finally appear to be moving in the right direction. Following a poor August, Aston Villa were unbeaten in September. They were goalless at Everton, drew 1-1 at Brentford and Sunderland, before that 1-0 win over Bologna and a timely 3-1 home victory over the Cottagers. Winning in the Netherlands certainly won't be easy, but Villa arrive with confidence.
Manager Unai Emery will set his team up to frustrate their big-name opponents. They'll be tight at the back and plan to hit hard on the break. The longer Villa keep the scores at 0-0, the more frustrated the home crowd will become, and that will play into Emery's hands. We'll need a rub of the green here, but Villa are good enough to leave with the points.
Tip: Aston Villa win @ 29/20 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Aston Villa to secure an away win to bank the returns.
Bet on both teams to score
Our third and final bet in Rotterdam is for both teams to score. You can follow this prediction as a single off a decent stake or add it to similar picks, creating an accumulator. Unlike the bet above, the winning team isn't important here. You need this match to end 1-1 or better to beat the bookies. If both Feyenoord and Aston Villa get at least one goal each, you're onto a winner.
A bet on both teams to score would've landed in three of Villa's five games last month, including that solid win over Fulham at the weekend. The same bet was the correct approach when Feyenoord shared six goals with AZ. Add both teams to score to your bet slip on Thursday and hope these rivals deliver an exciting 90 minutes.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 7/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Feyenoord and Villa must get at least one goal each in this match.
Feyenoord vs Aston Villa odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.