Four English and Scottish clubs, one Europa League night. Crystal Palace host Hoffenheim at Selhurst, Bournemouth travel to Sparta Prague, Sunderland welcome Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic take on Beşiktaş. Here are our predictions and betting tips for Thursday 5 November.
| Pick | Game | Odds | Stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Bet: Bournemouth win & over 2.5 goals | Sparta Prague v Bournemouth, 5.45pm | 11/10 (bet365) | 1pt win |
| Acca: Palace win, Bournemouth win & over 2.5, Beşiktaş win | Three games | Around 15/2 (bet365 singles) | 0.5pt win |
| Bet Builder: Over 2 goals, Kamada 1+ shot, Burger booked | Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim, 5.45pm | 49/10 (bet365) | 0.5pt win |
| Card bet: Wouter Burger to be carded (Bet Builder leg) | Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim, 5.45pm | In 49/10 Bet Builder (bet365) | 0.5pt win |
| Player: Yeremy Pino anytime goalscorer | Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim, 5.45pm | 11/4 (bet365) | 0.5pt win |
Prices checked at 12:00 UK. New to the format? Our league phase explainer covers how the table works, and last night’s picks are in our Wednesday Champions League preview.
Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim Prediction & Team News
Kick-off: 5.45pm (UK), Selhurst Park. TV: TNT Sports 1. Competition: UEFA Europa League.
Team news
Crystal Palace: Quinten Timber and Jørgen Strand Larsen are ready after missing the draw at Beşiktaş, according to Pierre Sage and the club. Jean-Philippe Mateta is available — his Tottenham red card was a domestic ban only. Ismaïla Sarr has a groin problem, Takehiro Tomiyasu will not return before the international break and Chadi Riad is out long term.
Hoffenheim: Vladimír Coufal, Bambase Conté, Patrick Wimmer, Valentin Gendrey, Albian Hajdari, Nathan De Cat and Max Moerstedt are injured. Alexander Prass is back from suspension.
Predicted line-ups
Crystal Palace (predicted): Benítez; Canvot, Disasi, Richards; Mitchell, Kamada, Wharton, Khalaili; Pino, McNeil; Mateta.
Hoffenheim (predicted): Baumann; Rots, Machida, Kabak, Abraha; Daghim, Burger, Avdullahu, Prass; Lemperle, Kramarić.
Form (last 5)
Crystal Palace: Three straight Premier League defeats; Europa League — D 2‑2 Beşiktaş (a), L 2‑3 Lyon (h), W 4‑0 Lech Poznań (h).
Hoffenheim: L 0‑2 Werder Bremen (a); DFB-Pokal exit on penalties vs Holstein Kiel; Europa League — W 3‑0 Lyon (h), L 2‑3 Beşiktaş (a), L 0‑2 OFI Crete (a).
Key stats & head-to-head
- First competitive meeting between the clubs.
- Palace are 15th on four Europa League points; Hoffenheim are 23rd on three.
- Hoffenheim have lost all five previous games against English clubs, according to Sports Mole.
- Palace have conceded 21 Premier League goals in nine games, the most in the division.
Verdict & prediction
Palace are leaking goals in the league, but Selhurst and a home European night still favour them against a Hoffenheim side short of bodies and without a point away in this competition. Timber and Strand Larsen returning thickens the squad.
The risk is another soft night at the back, or Hoffenheim catching them on the break through Kramarić.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 2‑1 Hoffenheim.
WIN
Bet Builder: Over 2 goals, Kamada 1+ shot, Burger booked | 49/10 · bet365
Palace games are open, Kamada will see plenty of the ball in midfield and Burger sits in the traffic. The builder needs all three; a quiet booking night or a cagey 1‑0 kills it.
WIN
Yeremy Pino anytime goalscorer | 11/4 · bet365
Pino has the licence to attack from the right and Hoffenheim travel light at the back. The risk is Mateta or Strand Larsen taking the main chances instead.
Sparta Prague v Bournemouth Prediction & Team News
Kick-off: 5.45pm (UK), epet ARENA / Letná. TV: TNT Sports 2. Competition: UEFA Europa League.
Team news
Sparta Prague: Matěj Ryneš, Adam Karabec and Emmanuel Uchenna are out. John Mercado (seven goals this season) will be assessed after missing the last two; most previews expect him to miss again.
Bournemouth: Junior Kroupi is not registered for Europe until after this match. Alex Tóth is out until next year after hamstring surgery, Juanlu has an ankle injury, and Alex Scott and Julián Araujo are not expected to feature. Marco Rose says he will rotate with Ipswich on Sunday.
Predicted line-ups
Sparta Prague (predicted): Surovcík; Hoever, Zelený, Guddal, Suchomel; Sochurek, Macek, Eneme; Jurásek, Vojta, Alcócer.
Bournemouth (predicted): Di Gregorio; Hill, Diakité, Silva, Soler; Adams, Cook; Gannon-Doak, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Form (last 5)
Sparta Prague: Europa League — L 0‑1 Olympiacos (a), D 1‑1 Lillestrøm (h), W 4‑1 Ararat-Armenia (h). Scored in only one of their last five in all competitions (Sports Mole).
Bournemouth: Europa League — W 3‑0 Milan (h), W 3‑0 Sturm Graz (a), W 2‑1 Real Sociedad (h). Six straight wins without conceding across competitions (Sports Mole).
Key stats & head-to-head
- First competitive meeting between the clubs.
- Bournemouth are fourth on nine Europa League points from three wins; Sparta are 16th on four.
- Sparta have lost just one of their last nine UEFA home games.
- Bournemouth have scored nine and conceded one in the league phase so far.
Verdict & prediction
Bournemouth are the form side in this competition. Three wins, a mean defence and an attack that has already taken care of Milan and Real Sociedad. Sparta are awkward at home but have been blunt in front of goal.
The risk is Rose rotating too hard for Sunday, or Sparta nicking a set-piece on a night when Mercado somehow starts.
Prediction: Sparta Prague 0‑2 Bournemouth.
WIN
Bournemouth win & over 2.5 goals | 11/10 · bet365
Nine goals in three Europa League games for the Cherries and a Sparta side averaging almost nothing recently. Best bet of the day. The danger is a cagey away performance if Rose rests too many, or Sparta’s home UEFA record holding firm.
Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb Prediction & Team News
Kick-off: 8pm (UK), Stadium of Light. TV: TNT Sports 1. Competition: UEFA Europa League.
Team news
Sunderland: Habib Diarra is out for around six weeks with a muscle injury. Chemsdine Talbi has been added to the Europa League squad in his place and is available (BBC). Nordi Mukiele is in concussion protocols; Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle remain sidelined. Omar Alderete’s Coventry red card bans him for Chelsea, not this match.
Dinamo Zagreb: Scott McKenna is out. Stjepan Radeljić has a sprained finger and Dani Rodríguez is a doubt. Dion Drena Beljo is fit. Jerko Leko takes charge after Mario Kovačević left.
Predicted line-ups
Sunderland (predicted): Roefs; Hume, Danso, O’Nien, Méthalie; Xhaka, Sadiki; Meunier, Le Fée, Fofana; Isidor.
Dinamo Zagreb (predicted): Kotarski; Valinčić, Galešić, Domínguez, Pérez Vinlöf; Mišić; Almena, Stojković, Zajc, Hoxha; Beljo.
Form (last 5)
Sunderland: L 1‑3 Coventry (a); Europa League — D 1‑1 Lech Poznań (a), W 2‑1 Torreense (h), W 1‑0 AZ Alkmaar (h). Bottom of the Premier League.
Dinamo Zagreb: L 0‑1 Rudeš (a); Europa League — L 2‑4 NEC (h), W 1‑0 Anderlecht (h), D 0‑0 Hapoel Be’er Sheva (a).
Key stats & head-to-head
- First competitive meeting between the clubs.
- Sunderland are ninth on seven Europa League points; Dinamo are 18th on four.
- Sunderland’s European form (W2 D1) is far stronger than their Premier League form (bottom).
Verdict & prediction
Wearside Europe has been the bright spot. Seven points already, Talbi now eligible, and a Dinamo side in coaching flux. Expect a tight Stadium of Light night rather than a thriller.
The risk is Premier League confidence spilling over the wrong way, or Beljo punishing a high line.
Prediction: Sunderland 1‑0 Dinamo Zagreb.
WIN
Sunderland win & under 2.5 goals | 3/1 · bet365
Home Europe has been solid and low-scoring fits both recent patterns. Longer price, smaller stake. One Dinamo goal and the under leg is gone.
Celtic v Beşiktaş Prediction & Team News
Kick-off: 8pm (UK), Celtic Park. TV: TNT Sports 3. Competition: UEFA Europa League.
Team news
Celtic: Alistair Johnston is out and Yang Hyun-jun is not ready, according to Martin O’Neill. Kieran Tierney is a doubt after knocks at Falkirk (Glasgow World). Auston Trusty is unavailable because of a family bereavement.
Beşiktaş: Ümit Akdağ is suspended after his red card against Palace. Orkun Kökçü has been in the camp squad after missing four games but was listed injured midweek alongside Fabio Miretti — check the team sheet. Former Celtic forward Hyeon-gyu Oh is in the travelling party.
Predicted line-ups
Celtic (predicted): Johnstone; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Baur; Hassan, Nygren, Osmand; Durán.
Beşiktaş (predicted): Nübel; Murillo, Agbadou, Topçu, Yılmaz; Ndidi; Černý, Özcan, Olaitan, Trossard; Vlahović.
Form (last 5)
Celtic: D Dundee United (h), L 0‑2 Falkirk (a); Europa League — losses to Celta Vigo, Benfica and Ferencváros (no points).
Beşiktaş: Europa League — D 2‑2 Crystal Palace (a), W 3‑2 Hoffenheim (h), W 4‑1 Marseille (h). Unbeaten on seven points.
Key stats & head-to-head
- First competitive meeting between the clubs.
- Celtic are 35th of 36 with no points; Beşiktaş are eighth and unbeaten on seven.
- Beşiktaş have won only four of nine away games in all competitions this season (Sports Mole).
Verdict & prediction
Celtic Park will be loud, but Beşiktaş are the better European side right now — unbeaten, already taken points off Palace and beaten Hoffenheim and Marseille. O’Neill needs a result; the visitors look more likely to take one.
The risk is Celtic’s home surge under a new-old manager, or Beşiktaş’s patchy away record showing up.
Prediction: Celtic 1‑2 Beşiktaş.
WIN
Beşiktaş win | 6/5 · bet365
Unbeaten in the league phase against a Celtic side still searching for a first point. The risk is Celtic Park and O’Neill’s first home European night flipping the script.
Europa League Acca: Thursday 5 November
Crystal Palace win (17/20), Bournemouth win & over 2.5 goals (11/10) and Beşiktaş win (6/5). Priced from the bet365 singles, that comes to around 15/2 (8.55 decimal).
WIN
Treble: Palace win, Bournemouth win & over 2.5, Beşiktaş win | around 15/2 · bet365
Each leg is one of our singles. The weak link is Palace at short odds if Hoffenheim nick a draw, or Beşiktaş freezing at Celtic Park.
Our Selections
Best Bet: Bournemouth win & over 2.5 goals
Game: Sparta Prague v Bournemouth
Kick-off (UK): 5.45pm
Odds (bet365): 11/10 — checked 12:00 UK
Stake: 1pt win
Acca: Palace win, Bournemouth win & over 2.5, Beşiktaş win
Game: Three games
Kick-off (UK): 5.45pm (first legs)
Odds (bet365): around 15/2, priced from singles — checked 12:00 UK
Stake: 0.5pt win
Bet Builder: Over 2 goals, Kamada 1+ shot, Burger booked
Game: Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim
Kick-off (UK): 5.45pm
Odds (bet365): 49/10 — checked 12:00 UK
Stake: 0.5pt win
Card bet: Wouter Burger to be carded
Game: Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim
Kick-off (UK): 5.45pm
Odds (bet365): included in 49/10 Bet Builder (standalone card price not readable logged-out) — checked 12:00 UK
Stake: 0.5pt win via Bet Builder
Yeremy Pino anytime goalscorer
Game: Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim
Kick-off (UK): 5.45pm
Odds (bet365): 11/4 — checked 12:00 UK
Stake: 0.5pt win
Beşiktaş win
Game: Celtic v Beşiktaş
Kick-off (UK): 8pm
Odds (bet365): 6/5 — checked 12:00 UK
Stake: 1pt win
Sunderland win & under 2.5 goals
Game: Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb
Kick-off (UK): 8pm
Odds (bet365): 3/1 — checked 12:00 UK
Stake: 0.5pt win
FAQ
What time are Thursday’s Europa League games?
Crystal Palace v Hoffenheim and Sparta Prague v Bournemouth kick off at 5.45pm (UK). Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic v Beşiktaş both start at 8pm.
What TV channel are the games on?
Palace v Hoffenheim and Sunderland v Dinamo Zagreb are on TNT Sports 1. Sparta Prague v Bournemouth is on TNT Sports 2. Celtic v Beşiktaş is on TNT Sports 3.
What is the best bet in the Europa League today?
Our best bet is Bournemouth win & over 2.5 goals at 11/10 with bet365.
What are your Europa League predictions?
Crystal Palace 2‑1 Hoffenheim, Sparta Prague 0‑2 Bournemouth, Sunderland 1‑0 Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic 1‑2 Beşiktaş.
Earlier this week: Tuesday Champions League and Wednesday Champions League. Check the football tables, football fixtures and more football previews. Read our responsible gambling guide.
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