Valencia v AZ Alkmaar: home side to overcome first leg deficit
Published:Valencia are on the wrong end of a 2-1 aggregate scoreline going into their Europa League quarter-final second leg, but can dispose of AZ Alkmaar at 1/2 to advance to the semis.
The visitors, currently second in the Eredivisie standings, are 11/2 to score success over their Spanish hosts, as they did in unexpected fashion last Thursday in Holland.
You can get 16/5 about the draw, and that outcome would see Alkmaar progress to the last four of the competition, for which the hosts are 7/2 third-favourites to win.
It should be noted however, that Valencia have notched four times in each of their last two home encounters with Dutch sides, and can be backed to score four or more times in this match at 10/3, whilst it is 11/8 that four or more goals simply occur in the match.
What may be a more appealing bet however, is for Valencia to win with both teams finding the net at 9/4.
AZ average more than a goal per game in the Europa League this season, and have registered in each of their away trips during the knockout phase, whilst Valencia have notched in each of their Europa League matches, racking up six goals in just two Mestalla clashes in the process.
Unlucky to have been knocked out at the Champions League group stage, Valencia have also taken the mantle in each of their home Europa League games, leading through first-half strikes in each of them, so 8/11 odds for them to score first before the break look appealing.
Valencia also look tremendous value to be leading at half-time and full-time at 11/10 as they have done in each of their home games in this tournament.
Roberto Soldado may be an obvious first scorer selection, but the 5/2 shot proved his credentials with five Champions League strikes earlier in the campaign, and should be backed to get the La Liga outfit off to a good start in this game as well.
