Europa League Betting: Villarreal vs. FC Salzburg

Both Villarreal and FC Salzburg have ensured their place in the last 32. The Austrian side owns an untouchable lead with 15 points in five cycles after having won all their fixtures. Meanwhile, Villarreal are second in group action on nine points. For all intended purposes, Group H is decided; however, Villarreal could try to stop Salzburg from finishing Group action with maximum points.

Match Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday December 17, 2009

Soccer Betting Lines & Odds:

Villarreal -1 Ev -165 2½ O -125 U -105 Draw +265
FC Salzburg +1 -130 +400 2½ O -125 U -105 Draw +265

BetOnline Soccer Betting Verdict: Villarreal enter this match on a three match winning streak spanning all competitions. After beating Levski on match day five they went on to win back-to-back domestic matches – 3:2 over Getafe and 2:1 over Atletico Madrid. Overall, Villarreal have been inconsistent in domestic action. They are tenth in the table with 18 points in 14 cycles.

Nevertheless, they are enjoying a recent positive trend, suggesting they are not entirely without a shot in this match for the win.

FC Salzburg have been very convincing throughout the competition. They are on a five-match winning streak in Europe after winning all their group fixtures. They have also kept a good score sheet, scoring eight goals and conceding only two.

The Austrians are undefeated in their last five domestic matches. They are second in Austria’s Bundesliga, two points adrift of league leaders Rapid Wien.

Soccer Free Picks: BetOnline is offering Villarreal at odds of -165 to win outright. They have home edge and a recent run of good form but Salzburg have been so formidable in the competition that the Spanish outfit cannot be the sure play in my opinion. In fact, Salzburg at +400 odds (what are the oddsmakers thinking) seem to be too attractive a bet to pass up. I would go so far as to say they should be the favourites to win this match. I mean, they haven’t lost yet and they already beat Villarreal 2:0 on match day 2. Additional play is Over 2.5 goals at -125

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