Europa League Betting: Celtic to freeze on their big night in Russia

Kevin Hatchard's back with his best Europa League bets from the second legs in the last 32.

Zenit v Celtic
Thursday February 22, 18:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra

Celtic have the edge after a tight first leg in Glasgow. Brendan Rodgers' team missed several good chances before a 78th-minute winner from Callum McGregor gave the Bhoys a 1-0 advantage to take to Russia.

Roberto Mancini's Zenit were far from their best at Celtic Park, shaking off the rust after a long winter break. However, they won all three of their home games in the group stage, and they have won eight of their last ten matches on home soil in the UEL.

Celtic are favourites in the To Qualify market, but they have only won two of their last six competitive away games, and they were spanked at Bayern and PSG in the Champions League group stage. Zenit aren't of the same standard, but they are good enough (especially striker Aleksandr Kokorin) to give the Scottish champions a few problems.

At odds-against, I'll back Mancini's men to squeeze through.

Recommended Bet
Back Zenit to qualify at 2.28

Braga v Marseille
Thursday 22 February, 20:05 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra

Braga are hanging on by the narrowest of gossamer threads after a 3-0 battering in France last week. Only a miraculous comeback will do, but I suspect the Archbishops can at least leave the competition with a bit of dignity.

Braga have won 14 of their 18 home games in all competitions, while Marseille will almost certainly rest key players ahead of Le Classique at PSG at the weekend. Rudi Garcia's side lost at Salzburg and Vitoria Guimaraes in the group stage, and they'll be put under pressure here. Not enough to crash out, but maybe enough to lose this second leg.

Recommended Bet
Back Braga Draw No Bet at 2.02

Villarreal v Lyon
Thursday 22 February, 18:00 GMT
Live on BT Sport Extra

Having reached the semi-finals of last season's Europa League, Lyon are on course to at least make the last 16 this term, after a fine 3-1 win over Villarreal last week. The Spanish side defended poorly in the second half, and Memphis Depay's late stunner has given Bruno Genesio's men a measure of comfort.

That said, Genesio will field a strong side to finish the job, while Villlarreal are without five players due to injury. The Yellow Submarine has suffered three defeats in the last four outings, with eight goals conceded in that spell. The Spanish side only won one out of three UEL home games in the group stage, and there's little to justify them being just above evens to win the second leg.

Recommended Bet
Back Draw and Away on the Double Chance market at 1.92

Atalanta v Borussia Dortmund
Thursday 22 February, 20:05
Live on BT Sport Extra

These teams served up a classic last week, a pulsating battle that swung this way and that. Dortmund deservedly led at half-time through Andre Schurrle, but a superb quickfire double from Josip Ilicic put the Italians in front, only for Mario Gotze to twice set up Michy Bastshuayi in the closing stages.

Atalanta were very impressive at times at Signal Iduna Park, but they panicked a bit in the closing stages, especially centre-back Rafael Toloi, who twice made errors that led to Batshuayi goals. They know they need to win, but their home form has collapsed in recent weeks. They have collected just four points from their last four Serie A home matches, and Gian Piero Gasperini's men lost to Juventus in the Coppa Italia. I know this game will be played away from their home in Bergamo, but the principle is still the same.

Dortmund have only suffered one defeat since Austrian coach Peter Stoger took charge, and that was at Bayern Munich. They won 1-0 at Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday, their fourth straight win in all competitions. Admittedly, they needed keeper Roman Burki to produce a stunning series of saves, but BVB's confidence is growing.

With Batshuayi, Gotze, Schurrle and the outstanding Marco Reus at Dortmund's disposal, I think they can make life tough for the Atalanta defence. I'll back the visitors DNB.

Recommended Bet
Back Borussia Dortmund Draw No Bet at 2.22