Soccer predictions, best bets today: Betting tips, expert picks for games on Thursday November 3

With the Champions League group stage now concluded and the competition shelved ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Europa League now shifts into the spotlight for the final slate of group matches.

Teams in play with knockout stage participation on the line include Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, who host Ludogorets Razgrad in what is essentially a Group C play-in game. Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin also need a result at Union St. Gilloise to advance in Group D, while only one of Monaco and Trabzonspor can move on in Group H.

Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United are already through to the knockout round, but have not yet secured their group positioning.

The Europa Conference League is also wrapping up its group stage. The likes of Anderlecht, Nice, and Molde are still in jeopardy of crashing out, while West Ham, Villarreal, and AZ Alkmaar have secured advancement ahead of the final day.

Check out all our picks for the day below.

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Dynamo Kyiv vs. Fenerbahce prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Dynamo Kyiv moneyline
• Odds: +280 (BetMGM)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Dynamo Kyiv to win

This match is meaningless for both teams in terms of knockout stage qualification, but for Kyiv, this is their European swansong. While the match is not being played in Ukraine, their fans should turn out in droves in Warsaw. There will be an emotional boon for the hosts, while Fenerbahce could rest players amidst a domestic title charge in Turkey. Dynamo have had a really tough year both domestically and abroad, but they have played most European matches close, just falling short on results. This is an opportunity to go out with a bang against an unmotivated opponent. — Kyle Bonn

AS Roma vs. Ludogorets Razgrad prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Highest scoring half: 2H
• Odds: +100 (BetMGM)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Roma to win

This is a winner-take-all match for a Europa League knockout place. Roma need to win to advance, while Ludogorets just need a draw. Roma remain a heavily flawed team, but Jose Mourinho has seen his side improve over the last few weeks, and while their finishing remains extremely poor, they will be boosted by the home crowd and the stakes. Still, it will take time for the teams to come out of their shell, and for Roma to figure out how to put the ball in the back of the net. The last time these teams met, the game finished 2-1 with all three goals scored in the final 18 minutes. — Kyle Bonn

Real Sociedad vs. Man United prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals
• Odds: -115 (BetMGM)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Draw

A totally meaningless match with Manchester United on the road against another defensive side? The under in this match is a no-brainer. The Red Devils might open it up late in the hopes of securing the group’s top spot in order to avoid an extra playoff game, but otherwise, both sides know they’ve already secured a knockout stage spot, and that this result is practically worthless. — Kyle Bonn

Silkeborg vs. Anderlecht prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Anderlecht moneyline
• Odds: +170 (BetMGM)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Anderlecht to win

They say never to bet two bad teams, and these two are just that. Silkeborg sit fifth in the Danish league table, while Anderlecht are a disappointing 10th in Belgium. But that’s what makes this match so enticing — both sides may know their domestic chances are up, and European play is all they have this season. Now here, in essentially a play-in game, it’s all on the line, and Anderlecht need to win to advance. Neither side has done much to prove they can confidently advance, but the last time these two sides played, Anderlecht won 1-0 and probably should have had more based on the chances created. Fabio Silva was exceptional in that match, and his form has tanked since — this could be a great opportunity to rediscover the magic against an opponent he tore to shreds last time. In a toss-up game at a ground that’s not exactly a fortress for the hosts, this is an opportunity for plus odds on a team with a good chance to advance. — Kyle Bonn

Yesterday’s picks

Wednesday’s results were less than ideal, but the process was still encouraging. Sevilla scored early to put Man City under pressure, which then saw Pep Guardiola’s side score a trio to buck the under. The final two City goals, however, came in the final 17 minutes, so on the whole the match progressed as expected.

The same can be said for the AC Milan vs. RB Salzburg match, which was far more competitive than the 4-0 final scoreline seems. Milan were lucky to get to halftime with a 1-0 lead, and Salzburg ultimately put up 1.5 xG but failed to find the back of the net, compared to AC Milan’s four goals on 1.79 xG. Just one of those days for the visitors, who fell way short in the final third.

The one match that did come through was Copenhagen vs. Dortmund, which was just as cagey as expected in a game that didn’t matter one bit. Thankfully, this one came through at plus odds, which helps mitigate most of the value lost in the other picks and help make an otherwise tough day easier to swallow.

Soccer best bets records

Records below compiled since the first edition of this post on Monday, October 3.