Top Picks from Thursday's UEFA Games: Accumulator Tip for August 17

After a very surprising and enjoyable first leg of qualifying rounds in both the Europa League and the Europa Conference League, action returns to various stadiums around Europe for the second leg of those matches, and here are a few picks of some of the outstanding clashes.

HJK vs Qarabag

Qarabag are set to visit the Bolt Arena to take on HJK in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, aiming to secure their progress. The Azerbaijani team achieved a vital 2-1 advantage in the first leg on their home ground, creating a challenging situation for the Finnish side, HJK, as they strive to overturn the deficit. While HJK have displayed a strong performance in home matches within the European context, their defensive vulnerabilities could pose a significant challenge. Although Qarabag might not be the most potent attacking force in European competitions, they possess sufficient attacking capabilities to capitalize on HJK's weaknesses.

Considering the circumstances, HJK Helsinki have no alternative but to adopt an aggressive stance against Qarabag in an attempt to reverse the outcome. However, this offensive approach from the hosts is likely to leave them susceptible at the defensive end. Therefore, opting for the Over 2.5 goals option seems fitting for this encounter.

• Over 2.5

Genk vs Olympiakos

As the second leg between Genk and Olympiakos approaches, Genk hold a slim 1-0 disadvantage from the previous match due to Konstantinos Fortounis' early goal. This sets the stage for a crucial showdown where Genk will be looking to overturn the deficit and secure their progression. The initial encounter highlighted the closely balanced nature of these two teams, suggesting that the upcoming match will likely be similarly hard-fought. While the loser of this tie will have the consolation of entering the Europa Conference League playoffs, Genk undoubtedly aim to stay in the competition and pursue greater success. Considering these factors, there's a strong possibility that both teams will manage to score in this decisive clash. The urgency to advance and the competitive spirit on display make a scenario where both sides find the net a distinct possibility.

• BTTS

KA Akureyri vs Club Brugge

KA Akureyri and Club Brugge are set for another encounter that pits the underdog against the favorite. In the initial clash, played at Jan Breydel Stadion, Club Brugge showcased their dominance by securing a commanding 5-1 victory. This outcome places the Belgian powerhouse in a strong position to progress to the final qualifying round. Club Brugge's recent performance underscores their prowess, as they cruised to a convincing 5-0 win against Eupen in the Jupiler League. On the other hand, KA Akureyri find themselves in a challenging situation, having failed to secure a win in their last five matches across various competitions. Taking into account Club Brugge's consistent and impressive form in recent matches, they are likely to continue their strong run and build upon their first-leg success. As such, it's reasonable to expect that Club Brugge will emerge victorious in this fixture.

• W2