Football Accumulator Tips: Braga featured in 4/1 four-fold

On Thursday, we’ve got a whole host of football action coming our way with Uefa Europa League and Uefa Conference League qualifying fixtures taking place.

With over 50 matches to choose from as the race for European qualification hots up, read on for my Thursday Football Accumulator Tips.

Braga (A) to beat Levski Sofia (18:30 BST) @ 1/2

Braga finished fourth in the Portuguese league last season, behind heavyweights Sporting, Benfica and Porto, and look too strong for Levski Sofia.

The Portuguese outfit struggled in the Europa League last year, winning just three of their eight group matches and missing out on the knockout rounds on goal difference. However, qualification for the league stage is the minimum expected, and Levski Sofia should not pose too much of a threat to Braga.

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Levski have not reached the group stage of any European competition since the 2010/11 season, when they lost five and drew one of their six Europa League group matches. The Bulgarians needed penalties to get past Hapoel Beer Sheva after 0-0 and 1-1 (after extra time) draws, with the away leg moved to Hungary from Israel for security reasons.

I’ll side with the visitors to take a first-leg lead before securing comfortable progress across the tie.

Shamrock Rovers (A) to beat St Joseph’s (17:00 BST) @ 4/6

Shamrock Rovers begin their bid to reach the Conference League group stage once again, following an impressive run to the round of 32 last season, as they travel to Gibraltar to face St Joseph’s.

The Hoops proved themselves on the European stage last term, securing three wins and two draws from six group games. Their sole group defeat came against eventual champions Chelsea, before losing on penalties in the first knockout round against Molde.

Backed by their European pedigree and strong form in the Irish Premier Division, Rovers will be confident of a dominant performance.

Today's Football Fixtures

St Joseph’s have shipped 17 goals across their past six European outings and looked far from secure in their narrow 5-4 aggregate win over Cliftonville in the previous round. Their defensive vulnerabilities were evident in both legs, and they could be ruthlessly exposed by a more clinical Shamrock side.

The Irish champions head into the tie full of confidence after a 4-0 FAI Cup triumph over Wexford and have consistently found the net in European fixtures away from home.

The Dublin-based side should be able to head home with a comfortable lead in the bag.

AZ Alkmaar (A) to beat Ilves (17:00 BST) @ 2/5

Dutch outfit AZ held their own in last season’s Europa League, winning three and drawing two of their eight group stage matches before seeing off Galatasaray 6-3 over two legs in the round of 32.

Alkmaar took a 1-0 lead in the first leg against Tottenham before eventually falling 3-2 on aggregate to the eventual winners.

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Finnish side Ilves have never qualified for the group stage of a European competition, losing in the qualifying rounds on each of their five attempts.

Ilves were thrashed 6-0 away by Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League qualifiers two weeks ago, before a goalless draw at home last time out.

AZ’s experience is likely to prove too much for Ilves.

Shakhtar Donetsk (A) double chance against Besiktas (19:00 BST) @ 3/5

Shakhtar look a solid bet to avoid defeat against Besiktas, who are yet to play a competitive match this season.

While the Turkish side have strengthened during the summer, an underwhelming pre-season has seen a poor run of friendly results, and it appears that time will be needed for the new signings to settle in.

Shakhtar, by contrast, arrive match-sharp after thrashing Ilves 6-0 in their first-round qualifier first leg.

With their European pedigree and full-strength squad, the Ukrainians should pose a real threat.

Given Besiktas’ difficult pre-season, backing Shakhtar on the double chance market appeals.

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