How the Europa League could help Premier League bet success

Saturday afternoons may be the time in which the average Ladbrokes customer enjoys the most success when it comes to football betting, but those with an eye for long-odds upsets could do worse than focus their attentions on a Sunday – October 5 to be precise.

That’s the next time Everton, Tottenham and Celtic will be in action after a busy week of continental games in the Europa League and could be the perfect opportunity for punters to take advantage.

All three failed to pick up three points on Sunday, with Celtic stumbling to a 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Parkhead, while Spurs and the Toffees fell to home defeats against West Brom and Crystal Palace respectively – two teams who had yet to win in the Premier League this term.

A slip-up of this kind shouldn’t be anything new to Tottenham fans – their team lost exactly half of all the games they played after a Europa League tie – but the result should highlight how Everton could struggle to juggle domestic and continental concerns and how bettors should take note.

Historically speaking, Everton have something of a track record for Europa League hangovers, with the Toffees dropping points in the Premier League in four of the last five top-flight games they have played after competing in the competition.

And a lack of quality in the Celtic squad, coupled with the club’s desire to compete more in Europe, could see these post-Europa League games given less priority.

Both Palace and the Baggies would have started Sunday’s encounters as rank outsiders for victory, while the Bhoys were expected to pick up a maximum return at home.

So what should punters be backing come October 5? Well, Everton travel to Manchester United and with the Red Devils likely to be a longer price than we would traditionally expect, it could pay to back Louis van Gaal’s boys to win big.

Tottenham, meanwhile, could be in line for an upset against Southampton at White Hart Lane, while Hamilton will look to do the unthinkable and win at Celtic Park.

Both sides are likely to be priced as outsiders and could leave you quids-in if you are brave enough to back another Europa League hoodoo.

It gets even better come October 26 – the first Sunday after Europa League Matchday 3 – when Burnley entertain the Toffees and Newcastle visit White Hart Lane with both ripe for an upset.

Celtic, meanwhile, have another potential banana skin in the visit of Kilmarnock and could drop more points with a draw available at tempting odds.

Then it’s on to November 9 with Stoke travelling to Tottenham, Sunderland hosting Everton and Aberdeen entertaining the Bhoys.

With odds available closer to kick-off, all the signs point to a series of fantastic opportunities for punters to take advantage of some weary limbs – make sure you don’t miss out!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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