Europa League Best Bets – September 18

Juventus are looking to begin their Europa League campaign with a win over an opponent they will know they should take all three points from. Across the season so far, Juve have been inconsistent. A draw with AC Milan and a stunning 3-2 loss to Sassuolo heading into this one shows the Italian side have been frustrating, but these results followed on from wins over Frosinone and Parma. When Juve have been good, they have been rock-solid at the back, with the side basing their wins on a strong defence. With this in mind, I am backing the home side to win to nil, with both victories this season coming along with clean sheets.

Nijmegen are hoping to secure one of the results of the season in the opening round as they travel to face one of the most recognisable names in European club football. Worrying for the side will be their form heading into this one. A pair of defeats and a draw means they have not won a match since August 29, while they have lost four of their last six, drawing once and winning once. Their last match against Cambuur ended in a 3-0 loss on the road in the league, and I back another defeat without a goal for Nijmegen.

Real Sociedad will know they face a stern test of their credentials in their opening Europa League match as they host Premier League side Bournemouth this week. The start of their league campaign saw Sociedad lose to Real Betis and Real Madrid before beating Espanyol and Elche and drawing with Celta Vigo. However, the positives from their three-game unbeaten run were dashed as they were hammered 3-0 by Atletico Madrid at the weekend. Sociedad will be very tough to beat but their recent loss will have shaken them. While I back Sociedad to avoid defeat, I do not see them winning this one.

Bournemouth have been strong at the start of the new season, with a single loss coming from their opening five matches. Their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City came as their opponents rallied from 1-0 down to triumph 2-1 in a very late win. Since then, they have drawn with Everton, Newcastle and Brentford, while they hammered Lincoln 4-0 in the EFL Cup. While winning their opening Europa League match would be ideal, avoiding defeat is perhaps more important. With three draws coming from their opening five, I am backing Bournemouth to return home with an impressive point.