FCSB vs Rigas FS Prediction: Latvians should not be dismissed

FCSB will be hoping they can put a frustrating start to the Romanian league season behind them on Thursday (20:00) when they entertain Latvian league leaders Rigas FS in the Europa League in Bucharest.

Team news

Siyabonga Ngezana is likely to be missing for FCSB with a muscle injury and Mihai Lixandru is also struggling for the Romanian outfit.

Meanwhile, Rigas FS are likely to be without Petr Mares, Emerson Deocleciano, Darko Lemajic and striker Ismael Diomande, who has scored 11 league goals this season.

FCSB vs Rigas FS Odds

FCSB have been chalked up as 8/13 to win this Europa League clash with a win for Rigas available at 9/2 and the draw 3/1.

Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score are both 10/11 while FCSB striker Daniel Popa is the 5/1 favourite to score the game’s first goal.

Rigas FS or draw double chance @ 13/10

FCSB are heavily fancied to get their Europa League campaign off to a winning start, but they may not have everything their own way against Latvian side Rigas FS.

The Romanians have taken just ten points from their opening nine matches and have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine home league games.

The memories of their first league title in eight years that they secured last season seem distant and Rigas, who are playing in this competition for the first time, should be confident as they look to extend their 12-match unbeaten record.

Beating Apoel Nicosia in the last round on penalties was an impressive result and they could do enough to ensure they take back something from their opening encounter.

#PickYourPunt - Over 2.5 goals, Janis Ikaunieks to score at any time and over 29.5 FCSB booking points @ 8/1 

Three elements can be placed together in a #PickYourPunt selection, starting with over 2.5 goals, which has happened in nine of Rigas’s last 11 away games.

Visiting midfielder Janis Ikaunieks has scored an impressive ten goals in his last ten games for Rigas, including four matches when he has helped himself to a brace, so take him to find the net on Thursday, while there is a strong chance FCSB can frequently fall foul of the referee.

Their booking tally in two of their recent league games reached 85 points, while they have had at least three yellow cards in each of their six European ties this term, so go for over 29.5 home bookings points - 10 are awarded for every yellow and 25 for each red.

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Carabao Cup or Europa League game on Wednesday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Thursday’s Europa League games.

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