Europa League Tips: Expect Southampton serenity as West Ham toil

Astra Giurgiu 3.15 v West Ham 2.44; The Draw 3.55
Thursday, 19:00
Live on BT Sport Europe

West Ham are expected to make the unpopular decision to rest first-team players despite being outsiders to qualify, in order to prioritise Sunday's Premier League opener at Arsenal.

It is a bizarre call for two reasons. The first is that they bossed the 2-2 first leg for an hour, so know that their strongest XI can get the job done. The second is that they have lost ten in a row against the Gunners this decade, so even their best side are unlikely to threaten at the Emirates.

The reason why elimination is such a threat is that James Collins was sent off for his second bookable offence when they were coasting at 2-0 up at the Boleyn Ground. It was the Fair Play champions' third red card in four games, with coach Slaven Bilic later dismissed too for added comedy. In that kind of form, it has to deemed the most intriguing market for this contest.

Recommended Bet: Back there to be a sending off

Vitesse 3.20 v Southampton 2.30; The Draw 3.50
Thursday, 19:00
Live on BT Sport 2

Vitesse didn't present Southampton with as tough a challenge as this columnist was anticipating at St Mary's. Ronald Koeman's men instead assumed a 2-0 lead before the interval and put themselves in a superb position to progress with a third goal in the 84th minute courtesy of Shane Long.

As heartening was the presence of a clean sheet and the Dutch guests being restricted to one shot on target, as this suggests that the Saints will remain uncompromising in defence regardless of losing goalkeeper Fraser Forster to a long-term injury.

Southampton's rearguard figures were spectacular last season: 33 goals conceded in 38 Premier League matches, just one more than champions Chelsea. They enjoyed seven shutouts in their opening 11 fixtures in 2014/15, staying stingy at the back as those in attack became accustomed with one another, and appear to have defensive matters mastered once more.

Recommended Bet: Back the Southampton clean sheet @ 3.40

Borussia Dortmund 1.10 v Wolfsberger AC 41.00; The Draw 13.00
Thursday, 19:30
Live on Betfair Live Video

Betfair customers have the option of checking out the 10.50 Europa League tournament favourites in their first competitive home outing under Thomas Tuchel, though the encounter shouldn't be as one-sided as the match odds imply.

Borussia Dortmund were limited to one goal in Austria and, while they led from the 16th minute, it wasn't like they were bombarding the European debutants that they faced, managing a mere two shots on target and ten attempts in total to their opponents' seven.

Wolfsberger AC almost certainly won't net and, with that in mind, any opportunity to back under 3.5 goals at odds-against looks well worth snapping up.

Recommended Bet: Back under 3.5 goals @ 2.10