talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Thursday 16 July

The Europa League and Conference League qualifying competitions take centre stage on Thursday as a host of intriguing second-leg fixtures take place across Europe.

Derry City will be bidding to overturn a 3-2 first-leg deficit when they host CSKA Sofia in the Europa League.

And Qarabag, who lost to Newcastle United in last season’s Champions League playoff round, take a 3-0 lead to Vestri of Iceland.

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Thursday football tips

Bet of the Day 

Over 2.5 goals in Derry City vs CSKA Sofia @ 20/23

CSKA Sofia beat Derry 3-2 in the home leg of their Europa League qualifying tie, but a late goal from James Olayinka boosted City’s hopes of progressing.

That narrow defeat was a decent result for the Candystripes, who had only six shots to their hosts’ 17 in Bulgaria.

Derry cannot afford to sit back in the return leg so over 2.5 goals looks a solid bet.

Both teams scored in five of Derry’s last six League of Ireland matches, including a 4-1 win over Bohemians in June and this month’s 4-2 home defeat to Waterford. 

City are capable of breaching the Bulgarian defence, but the visitors pose a major threat through striker Ioannis Pittas, who scored twice in the first leg.

The Cyprus international found the net in both World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia, who went on to beat Italy in the play-off final, and he can contribute to a lively clash at Brandywell.

Bet builder

Ferencvaros to win & both teams to score vs Vojvodina Novi Sad @ 31/20

Another Europa League second leg that promises goals is Ferencvaros’ game against Serbian side Vojvodina Novi Sad.

The Hungarians enjoyed an impressive European run last term, reaching the last 16 of the Europa League, and their home record was superb.

They beat Ludogorets (twice), Rangers and Braga on their own patch and drew 1-1 with Viktoria Plzen and Panathinaikos in their other two home games.

The Hungarians’ continental heroics also included a 3-2 away victory over RB Salzburg, so backing Ferencvaros to win and both teams to score could be profitable on Thursday.

That was a winning bet in the first leg as Ferencvaros claimed a 2-1 victory against a Vojvodina side who racked up 13 shots.

Vojvodina’s pre-season results included a 2-1 defeat to Gyori ETO, who pipped Ferencvaros to the title in Hungary last season, and they can get on the scoresheet in a losing cause again.  

Acca of the Day 

Dynamo Kyiv, Sheriff Tiraspol & Hamrun Spartans all to win @ 17/5

Dynamo Kyiv dominated their goalless first leg against Universitatea Cluj, having 27 shots to their opponents’ three, and they should enjoy a successful Europa League trip to Romania.

It was a similar story for Moldova’s Sheriff Tiraspol, who had 63 per cent of possession in a 0-0 draw at home to Aluminij.

Sheriff failed to score with any of their 24 attempts at the Slovenians’ goal, but they are worthy favourites to win the away leg.

The final selection for our Thursday acca is Hamrun Spartans to make the most of home advantage against Conference League rivals Runavik.

Hamrun qualified for the league phase of the competition in 2025-26 and last week’s 1-1 draw in the Faroe Islands has given them a great chance of eliminating Runavik.

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Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change.

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