Thursday's action in the Europa League sees the final four teams battling it out for a place in this month's final and all will be hopeful of progression. Chelsea will be confident of booking their trip to Amsterdam but opponents Basel have already pulled off upsets in this competition while the remaining tie between Benfica and Fenerbahce is very delicately poised.
Benfica v Fenerbahce
Benfica were hot favourites to progress to the final prior to last week's first leg but as they approach this second game, the tie is perfectly balanced with the Turkish side taking a 1-0 lead with them to Portugal. Fenerbahce proved just how strong their domestic league is and while they are the outsiders once again, this is unlikely to be as straightforward as the bookmakers are suggesting.
As far as this second leg is concerned, Benfica are short odds favourites to win on the night and the best possible price on this outcome is 1.45 with Ladbrokes. Meanwhile, if you're betting with Fenerbahce for victory in ninety minutes then this is available at tempting best odds of 8.50 with bet365 while the draw can be found at a best price of 4.75 with either bet365 or BetVictor.
Aside from that defeat in Turkey a week ago, Benfica's form is outstanding and coming into this game the hosts haven't lost a domestic league match in over a year. Their front line is firing with Lima and Oscar Cardozo forming a prolific partnership and it could all point to an uncomfortable night for their opponents.
As for Fenerbahce, they are losing touch with Galatasaray in the title race and have all but surrendered the title but their overall form is good. On paper at least, they have a weaker side than their opponents but as last Thursday's first leg proved, they will be a tougher proposition than those prices in the result market suggest.
The best value lies in a positive result for the away side but if you're betting with Benfica you can find some far more attractive odds in the Asian Handicap market. Remember that the lack of an away goal from the first leg means that the home side have to win by at least two clear goals to progress and that's what the Portuguese will be aiming for as a minimum.
On that Asian Handicap, you can give Fenerbahce a one goal start and back Benfica at -1 to claim best odds of 1.63 with bet365. You then collect if the home side win by at least two clear goals and you have the insurance of a returned stake if the winning margin is just one.
Bet one point on Benfica giving a one goal start at 1.63 on the Asian Handicap with bet365
Chelsea v Basel
Chelsea are very short favourites to qualify for this month's final but as far as Thursday's second leg is concerned, can the Swiss side get any sort of positive result? Having conceded a 2-1 lead in the first game, Basel must hope that Chelsea sit back on that lead and let complacency set in but it's a forlorn hope as far as the bookmakers are concerned.
On the eve of this match, Chelsea are favourites for a win on the night and Rafa Benitez's team can be backed at best odds of 1.50 with a wide choice of outlets including bet365 and Paddy Power. Elsewhere in this market, victory in 90 minutes for Basel is available at a best price of 8.00 with Betfred while the draw is on offer at best odds of 4.60 with BetVictor.
Basel have already produced a shock in England when they held Spurs to a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane in the quarter finals. That result prompted current Spurs and former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas to herald them as the best side to arrive at Tottenham's ground all season and it should give the Swiss outfit some chance of forcing an upset.
There is further hope that the hosts will look to rest a few players ahead of a tough, yet vital away game against Premier League Champions Manchester United on Sunday. But Chelsea have looked strong in the last phase of the season and even if there are one or two changes, they should have more than enough to take a win on the night and secure a comfortable passage to the final.
Best odds of 1.50 look exceptionally short however but you can improve them by heading into the Asian Handicap Market. Here, you can look to give Basel a notional two goal start and back Chelsea at -2 to receive a best price of 3.20 with bet365 if the home side win by three clear goals or more.
Basel will have to attack from the first whistle and that should leave plenty of gaps for Chelsea to exploit. With Fernando Torres and Demba Ba coming back into form, a three goal winning margin should certainly be within their capabilities and you have some insurance with a returned stake if the hosts win by just two.
Bet 2 points on Chelsea giving a two goal start at 3.20 on the Asian Handicap with bet365