Europa League Best Bets - August 6

Jagiellonia are protecting a very long and impressive unbeaten record across competitions heading into their clash with Rangers. The side have not been beaten since a 2-1 loss to Gornik Zabrze back on April 24. Since then, they have won 10 times and drawn their other two matches. Equally impressive is the winning run they have built heading into this one with six consecutive victories on their way to this Europa League qualifier. While Rangers arrive as the slight favourites, the home side should not be underestimated. Indeed, their impressive run and Rangers' woes in general mean I am backing Jagiellonia to secure a good draw in the first-leg.

Rangers arrive for their Europa League qualifier on the back of two consecutive draws. Their 0-0 draw with West Ham came in a friendly, but they were then held in an underwhelming league opener against Dundee. These two stalemates only extend a poor run of two victories, four defeats and two draws across their last eight in all competitions. Despite arriving as the slight favourite, Rangers have done little to suggest that they will secure the win in this one. They will be confident that they can do the job on their own patch, but I predict they will have to do this the hard way after failing to return home with a lead. 

Benfica thumped St Gallen 5-0 in their last outing as they bounced back from a 2-1 loss to their opponents the week before. While Benfica made progressing in the last round more difficult than it needed to be, they did at least get the job done. Having scored 10 goals across their last two when including their 5-1 friendly win over Os Belenenses, Benfica look in good scoring form. I back them to dismantle their misfiring opponents as they take a big lead heading into the second-leg.

Hearts trundle into this one on the back of two consecutive defeats across competitions. Their opening match of the new league season saw them beaten 2-1 by Aberdeen with this clearly a hangover from their 6-0 aggregate Champions League qualifying loss to Sturm Graz. Having slipped down from Champions League qualifying to Europa League qualifying, Hearts will be desperate to make amends, but I predict that they will struggle against a very good opponent.