Europa League Qualifying Best Bets - Play-Offs

Salzburg just about made it past a stubborn Pafos side in the last round as they secured a 4-3 aggregate triumph. Their 1-0 win at home proved the difference as the pair played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in the second-leg. This draw has since been followed by a 3-0 away win over Tirol in the league, with Salzburg arriving on the back of seven games without a defeat, with this run featuring five wins. It is interesting to note that while Salzburg have won four of the five on the road across this run, they have conceded in three of these games, showing their defence has often struggled to shoulder the pressure the opposition have been able to apply. 

Aarhus have struggled of late, with a single win coming across their last four matches. A draw and a win have come alongside two defeats in their last two outings. While their last two defeats saw them arrive as the underdogs, Aarhus will still be very disappointed to have failed to get back to winning ways. Indeed, their 4-0 loss to Sabah Baku will have Benfica taking not of their weaknesses at the back. The focus in the first-leg will likely be on ensuring they are still in the game at the start of the second-leg, and this may work against them, especially if they give Benfica too much time and space.