Copa Libertadores, La Liga, and EFL Cup action headline Thursday's slate. Here are the best parlay combinations across 11 leagues.
Thursday & Friday Soccer Parlay Picks – September 17-18
We've got a compact but tasty midweek slate to work through, spanning La Liga, the EFL Cup, the Copa Libertadores, and the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana. With live market odds locked in, let's break down the best legs and build two sharp parlay combinations you can take straight to your book.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
La Liga: Real Betis vs Getafe – Thu 17 Sep, 18:00 UTC
Real Betis host Getafe in what the market expects to be a tight, low-scoring La Liga affair. The draw is priced at +270 (DraftKings), which reflects just how evenly matched the books see this one. Betis open as moderate favourites at -145 (BetMGM), but Getafe are a notoriously stubborn defensive unit - they grind, they frustrate, and they rarely open up games voluntarily.
The Under 2.5 goals is a strong lean here at -147 (Bally Bet). Both Teams to Score - No is also available at -141 (DraftKings). The BTTS - Yes at +110 (BetMGM) looks slightly generous given Getafe's defensive identity, but we'd rather stay on the Under side of this one. Betis should win, but don't expect fireworks.
Best Leg: Real Betis 1X2 (Home Win) at -145 (BetMGM) - solid anchor for a parlay.
EFL Cup: Manchester City vs Norwich City – Thu 17 Sep, 19:30 UTC
Manchester City are hosting Norwich City in the EFL Cup, and the market has spoken loudly - City are -667 favourites (BetMGM), making a straight moneyline play here essentially paying you nothing. Norwich, priced at +1500 (betPARX), would be the shock of the decade if they pulled this off.
The far more interesting line is Under 3.5 goals at +108 (betPARX). City will rotate heavily in the EFL Cup, and while they're expected to win comfortably, a rotation squad against Championship opposition often produces controlled rather than rampant performances. The Under 3.5 at plus money is a genuine value flag here - implied probability of roughly 48%, and the real probability feels closer to 55-58%. Grab it while it's plus money.
Value Flag: Under 3.5 goals at +108 (betPARX) - this line should be negative. Take the plus money.
La Liga: Málaga vs Villarreal – Thu 17 Sep, 20:30 UTC
This is the most intriguing match on the Thursday card. Villarreal are priced at just +100 (Hard Rock Bet) to win away at Málaga - essentially an even-money shot. Málaga are priced at +270 (BetMGM), and the draw sits at +285 (DraftKings). The market is remarkably open here, reflecting genuine uncertainty.
The Over 2.5 goals is heavily favoured at -164 (BetMGM), and BTTS - Yes is a strong -175 (FanDuel), suggesting the books see goals from both ends as likely. Villarreal carry European-level quality and typically play attacking football. Málaga will look to be competitive at home. This screams BTTS - Yes, even at -175 it's a reasonable inclusion in a multi-leg parlay where the odds stack up.
Best Leg: Villarreal Away Win at +100 (Hard Rock Bet) - even money on a quality side is value. Pair with BTTS - Yes at -175 (FanDuel) if you want a same-game angle.
Copa Libertadores: Flamengo-RJ vs Independiente del Valle – Fri 18 Sep, 01:30 UTC
Flamengo are firm favourites at -270 (theScore Bet) to progress in the Copa Libertadores. As one of South America's most powerful clubs, they're expected to control this knockout tie at home. Independiente del Valle are priced at +700 (BetRivers), which reflects just how steep the task is for the Ecuadorian side.
Under 2.5 goals at +110 (BetRivers) is genuinely interesting - Flamengo can be defensively solid when they need to be in knockout football, and del Valle may park the bus knowing a clean sheet could be vital across two legs. The Under here at plus money represents real value in a knockout context.
Value Flag: Flamengo Home Win at -270 (theScore Bet) is too short to build around, but the Under 2.5 at +110 (BetRivers) is an excellent standalone value play.
Recommended Parlay Combinations
Parlay 1 - The Midweek Value Builder (3 Legs)
- Real Betis to Win vs Getafe - -145 (BetMGM)
- Villarreal to Win vs Málaga - +100 (Hard Rock Bet)
- Manchester City vs Norwich City Under 3.5 Goals - +108 (betPARX)
This parlay combines a solid home favourite, an even-money away quality side, and a value totals play at plus money. Combined odds: approximately +316. Three defensible legs, none of which requires you to rely on huge upsets.
Parlay 2 - Goals & Winners Double
- Flamengo-RJ to Win vs Independiente del Valle - -270 (theScore Bet)
- Málaga vs Villarreal BTTS - Yes - -175 (FanDuel)
A two-leg parlay anchored by Flamengo's home dominance in Copa Libertadores knockout football, combined with the goals-friendly Málaga-Villarreal matchup. Both legs are expected outcomes by the market - but pairing them pushes the combined odds to a far more attractive number. Combined odds: approximately +130. Short but sharp - ideal as a safer double.
Quick Summary - Best Legs to Watch
- Manchester City vs Norwich City Under 3.5 (+108, betPARX) - Best value on the slate
- Villarreal Away Win (+100, Hard Rock Bet) - Even money on a quality European side
- Flamengo-RJ vs Independiente del Valle Under 2.5 (+110, BetRivers) - Plus money in a knockout tie
- BTTS Yes in Málaga vs Villarreal (-175, FanDuel) - Market strongly agrees; worth including in a parlay
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