FK Austria Vienna vs Villarreal Predictions

• Villarreal hammered Austria Vienna 5-0 just last week.
• The Yellow Submarine have beaten a -1 handicap in six of their eight wins in all competitions this season.
• Austria Vienna have conceded nine goals in the Europa Conference League this season – more than any other team in the competition.

Villarreal set to book knockout spot

Villarreal are one of three teams to boast a perfect record at the halfway point of the Europa Conference League’s group stage, and can book their spot in the knockout rounds with a win at Austria Vienna on Thursday, having hammered the same opponents 5-0 last week. While Manfred Schmid’s men may put up more of a fight on home soil, Unai Emery will be keen for his team to get the job done, and he’s unlikely to be disappointed.

Indeed, Villarreal’s tally of 11 goals in the Europa Conference League is unmatched so far this season, and they have beaten a -1 handicap in six of their eight wins this season in all competitions – including at Atletico Madrid in August. In LaLiga, only the current top three (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Athletic Club) have created more expected goals (xG) than Villareal this term, and they should be set for another routine outing.

While Villarreal have the Europa Conference League’s best attack, Austria Vienna have its worst defence, having lost 4-1 at Lech Poznan prior to last week’s thrashing. Schmid’s team have conceded three or more goals in seven different matches this season, and in three of their five European contests. Meanwhile, they have conceded well over a goal per game (18 in 11) in the Austrian Bundesliga this season.

Yellow Submarine to enjoy smooth voyage

Given Austria Vienna’s dire defensive returns in Europe and Villarreal’s impressive offensive form, backing Unai Emery’s men to beat a -1 handicap at a decent price appears a superb play for Thursday.

Meanwhile, a 3-0 away win could represent correct score value with the hosts averaging three concessions per game in Group C, and Jose Luis Morales, who has four goals in three European outings this term – including a hat-trick last week – is a decent anytime goalscorer pick.