talkSPORT betting tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Thursday 16 May

The battle to reach the Premier League continues on Thursday when Leeds and Norwich play out the second leg of their Championship semi-final play-off, with the tie level at 0-0.

In La Liga, European positions and relegation places are still to be filled and there are three matches taking place across the evening, including Valencia’s trip to Real Sociedad.

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Bet of the Day

 Under 2.5 goals @ 9/10

The first leg of this Championship encounter was a goalless draw at Carrow Road and the goalmouth action is unlikely to step up in a nerve-jangling return fixture at Elland Road.

Leeds and Norwich may have been free-scoring in the regular season, notching 81 and 79 times respectively, but the pressure of the play-offs certainly impacted the normal attacking fluidity of the pair.

While the Whites have home advantage, Elland Road will be full of anxious supporters desperate to see Daniel Farke’s side continue their quest of getting back to the Premier League and that could be felt by the players.

The last two meetings have produced just one goal, while two of Leeds’ last three home matches have seen under 2.5 goals and the same bet has landed in Norwich’s last two away assignments.

Special of the day 

Bet Builder: Sociedad to win, under 2.5 goals & Takefusa Kubo to have 1+ shots on target @ 4/1

Real Sociedad are still fighting for a European place and they can aid their cause by racking up a home victory over Valencia, who have collected just one point from the last 12 on offer.

Los Che have hit the buffers at the wrong time of the campaign and they have particularly struggled in the final third, failing to net in their last two fixtures against Alaves and Rayo Vallecano.

Under 2.5 goals has landed in 11 of Valencia’s last 15 matches, while the same has been successful in six of Sociedad’s last seven games, and this should be added to the Bet Builder alongside a win for the hosts.

Rounding off the Bet Builder is for Takefusa Kubo to have at least one shot on target. The Japan international has scored seven goals from 28 La Liga appearances and he can test the goalkeeper’s palms on Thursday.

Longshot of the day 

Andreas Christensen to score first @ 18/1

Barcelona could rack up a few when they travel to rock-bottom Almeria, whose relegation has already been confirmed and an interesting bet is for Andreas Christensen to score first.

The Danish defender has been in good goalscoring form for the Catalans of late, netting three times from his last six appearances in all competitions, and he has bagged the opener in Barca’s last two away assignments.

Given Barcelona are still fighting hard to secure second place in the Spanish top-flight, they will go all out for the three points and there could be plenty of scoring opportunities with Christensen primed to net again.

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