Europa League Matchday Eight predictions, odds and betting tips: Star strikers can shine in Amsterdam

Where to watch Thursday's Europa League matches

Ajax vs Galatasaray
TNT Sports 6, 8pm

FC Twente vs Besiktas
TNT Sports 10, 8pm

Ferencvaros vs AZ Alkmaar
TNT Sports 7, 8pm

Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs FC Porto
TNT Sports 9, 8pm

Midtjylland vs Fenerbahce
TNT Sports 8, 8pm

Roma vs Eintracht Frankfurt
TNT Sports 5, 8pm

All other matches not involving British sides will be shown on Discovery+ at 8pm

Europa League best bets

Anderlecht to beat Hoffenheim
1pt 6-5 bet365, Hills

Chuba Akpom & Victor Osimhen both to score at any time in Ajax vs Galatasaray
1pt bet builder 13-2 Hills

AZ Alkmaar draw no bet vs Ferencvaros
1pt 11-10 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Europa League matchday eight predictions

Last Thursday's 3-2 defeat to Tottenham marked Hoffenheim's fifth Europa League match without a win, a run which, according to Opta's supercomputer, has left them with a 1.7 per cent chance of qualifying for the knockout round. 

The Bundesliga side's struggles have not been confined to European competition, either. They have won just one of their last 12 league and cup outings, conceding 24 goals in the process.

Hoffenheim must beat Anderlecht in their final league-phase fixture to stand any chance of continuing in Europe but the Belgians also have their own incentive to go all out for victory on Thursday.

Anderlecht are seventh in the standings ahead of the final round of matches and victory would secure them safe passage to the round of 16. 

They have won nine of their last 12 home games and are fancied to land the victory they require to seal a top-eight finish. 

The biggest clash on matchday eight comes from Amsterdam, where European giants Ajax play host to 24-time Turkish champions Galatasaray. 

Ajax are 16th and Gala ninth after seven matches and only three points separate the pair, suggesting the match at the Johan Cruyff Arena could swing either way. 

Galatasaray's Europa League games have produced a competition-high 32 goals, with both teams scoring in each of their seven matches. 

Unsurprisingly, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who was the Serie A's top goalscorer in the 2022-23 season, has been Gala's go-to man in Europe, netting five goals during the league phase.

All of Osimhen's goals have come in his last three Europa League appearances and he should have a big impact on proceedings in Amsterdam.

But he will not be the only in-form marksman on show in the Dutch capital because Ajax's Chuba Akpom has scored four of the hosts' last eight goals in the competition. 

Combining the Englishman and Osimhen to both score in a Bet Builder with Hills pays out at around 13-2 and appeals in what could be a goalfest in the Netherlands.

On the face of it, Ferencvaros have done well to hold on to a place in the top 24 ahead of the final round of fixtures. However, their three wins have come against eliminated trio Nice, Dynamo Kyiv and Malmo. 

A draw could be enough for the Hungarian champions to secure a playoff spot but they may fall short of that goal against Dutch opponents AZ Alkmaar, who will be aiming to finish as high as possible to secure an easier route into the last 16. 

Alkmaar are unbeaten in four European outings, beating a resurgent Roma a week ago, and they look overpriced to secure three points in Budapest. 

Read more football predictions here: 

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Rangers vs Union St-Gilloise predictions, betting tips and odds: Goals could flow at Ibrox 

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